Pisidian Antioch: Temple of Augustus and the Res Gestae Copy
Imperial-cult city where Paul preached his first recorded sermon
Found 1914 — W. M. Ramsay with W. M. Calder (campaigns 1912–1914; Res Gestae fragments found 1914); University of Michigan expedition under David M. Robinson (1924); Turkish excavations (Yalvaç Museum) from 1979
Where Antioch of Pisidia (Yalvaç), Isparta Province (Turkey)
Dates from c. 25 BCE (colony); temple c. 2 BCE–14 CE · Early Roman Imperial · Paul's first journey (Acts 13)
Now at In situ; finds and Res Gestae fragments in the Yalvaç Museum, Turkey
How Pisidian Antioch: Temple of Augustus and the Res Gestae Copy was found
Ramsay found fragments of a Latin copy of Augustus' Res Gestae (the emperor's own record of his deeds) built into the walls of the monumental gateway on the temple square; the Michigan team cleared the semicircular temple platform.
What it is
A Roman colony on a plateau with a colonnaded street (Cardo), a temple of Augustus cut into the rock at the top of a stepped square, a triple-arched propylon, a theater, and a later church. The Res Gestae fragments (Monumentum Antiochenum) are one of only three surviving copies of the text.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts 13:14–52 records Paul's sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, his first preaching described at length, and the turning 'to the Gentiles' when the city's leaders drove him out. The excavated city shows a strongly Roman, emperor-worshipping colony, and inscriptions tie it to the Sergius Paulus family — which may be why Paul went there from Cyprus. The synagogue itself has not been found; a 4th-century church may stand over it.
The Hebrew word: bet hah-ke-NEH-set
בֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת
בֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶת is pronounced bet hah-ke-NEH-set and means synagogue, house of assembly (Greek synagoge) (Strong's G4864).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
- Barnabas — בַּר־נַבָּא (bar-nah-BAH) — son of encouragement
Places
- Pisidian Antioch — אַנְטְיוֹכְיָה (ahn-tee-och-YAH) — Greek Antiocheia pros Pisidian
Events
Paul's synagogue sermon at Antioch · Expulsion of Paul and Barnabas by the city leaders
Pisidian Antioch: Temple of Augustus and the Res Gestae Copy in Scripture
Acts 13:14-16 Paul stands to preach in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch — this city.
Acts 14:24 One of only 2 verses that name Pisidian Antioch.
Questions people ask
What is Pisidian Antioch: Temple of Augustus and the Res Gestae Copy?
A Roman colony on a plateau with a colonnaded street (Cardo), a temple of Augustus cut into the rock at the top of a stepped square, a triple-arched propylon, a theater, and a later church. The Res Gestae fragments (Monumentum Antiochenum) are one of only three surviving copies of the text.
When was Pisidian Antioch: Temple of Augustus and the Res Gestae Copy discovered?
It was found in 1914 by W. M. Ramsay with W. M. Calder (campaigns 1912–1914; Res Gestae fragments found 1914); University of Michigan expedition under David M. Robinson (1924); Turkish excavations (Yalvaç Museum) from 1979, at Antioch of Pisidia (Yalvaç), Isparta Province.
Where is Pisidian Antioch: Temple of Augustus and the Res Gestae Copy today?
In situ; finds and Res Gestae fragments in the Yalvaç Museum, Turkey.
Which Bible verses does Pisidian Antioch: Temple of Augustus and the Res Gestae Copy relate to?
Acts 13:14-16, Acts 14:24.
Related discoveries
- אֱלִילִיםLystra Inscription and the Zeus–Hermes Cult StonesThe stone that located Lystra and the local worship of the two gods Paul was mistaken for
- נְצִיבSergius Paulus InscriptionsStones from Cyprus, Rome, and Pisidian Antioch naming the proconsul who believed
- כּוֹסAntioch-on-the-Orontes: Mosaics and the 'Chalice of Antioch'The city where disciples were first called Christians — and a famous silver cup that is not what it seemed
- תַּלְמִידִיםDerbe Inscription (Kerti Höyük)The 1956 stone that finally placed the last city of Paul's first journey
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
- תַּרְשִׁישׁTarsus: The Roman Road and Cleopatra's GatePaved street and city gate of Paul's 'no mean city'
Sources
- S. Mitchell & M. Waelkens, Pisidian Antioch: The Site and Its Monuments (1998)
- D. M. Robinson, 'Roman Sculptures from Colonia Caesarea (Pisidian Antioch)', Art Bulletin 9 (1926)
- Wikipedia, "Antioch, Pisidia" (Res Gestae found 1914; Michigan 1924; Yalvaç Museum)
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