Politarch Inscription (Thessalonica)
Arch inscription proving Luke's rare word for city rulers was exactly right
Found 1835 — Copied by travellers in 1835; the Vardar Gate arch was demolished in 1876 and the block was sent to the British Museum in 1877
Where Vardar (Vardaris) Gate, Thessaloniki (Greece)
Dates from 2nd century CE (other Thessalonian politarch texts from 1st century BCE) · Roman Imperial · Paul at Thessalonica (Acts 17)
Now at British Museum, London (inscription 1877,0512.1)
How Politarch Inscription (Thessalonica) was found
The inscription stood on the Roman Vardar Gate arch spanning the Via Egnatia at the west entrance of Thessalonica. When the Ottoman authorities pulled down the arch, the British consul secured the inscribed block.
What it is
A marble block about 2 metres long with a Greek inscription that begins 'In the time of the politarchs...' and lists six city magistrates by name, followed by the treasurer and gymnasiarch. Several of the personal names (Sosipater, Secundus, Gaius) also appear among Paul's Macedonian companions in Acts.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts 17:6 says the mob at Thessalonica dragged Jason before the 'politarchs.' The word appears nowhere in surviving Greek literature, and critics once said Luke invented it. This inscription and over thirty more from Macedonia show that 'politarch' was the proper title of the city rulers of Thessalonica. It is a classic case of Luke's precision with local titles.
The Hebrew word: rah-SHEH hah-EER
רָאשֵׁי הָעִיר
רָאשֵׁי הָעִיר is pronounced rah-SHEH hah-EER and means heads of the city (Greek politarches, 'city ruler') (Strong's G4173).
People this discovery connects to
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
- Jason — יָסוֹן (yah-SON) — Greek Iason, Hellenized form of Yeshua/Joshua
Places
- Thessalonica — תֶּסָלוֹנִיקִי (teh-sah-lo-NEE-kee) — Greek Thessalonike, named for a sister of Alexander
Events
Riot at Thessalonica; Jason brought before the politarchs
Politarch Inscription (Thessalonica) in Scripture
Acts 17:1 First mention of Thessalonica in Scripture.
Acts 17:6-8 The 'politarchs' of Thessalonica — the exact title carved on this arch.
1 Thessalonians 2:14 Paul recalls the persecution the Thessalonian believers suffered from their own townsmen.
Questions people ask
What is Politarch Inscription (Thessalonica)?
A marble block about 2 metres long with a Greek inscription that begins 'In the time of the politarchs...' and lists six city magistrates by name, followed by the treasurer and gymnasiarch. Several of the personal names (Sosipater, Secundus, Gaius) also appear among Paul's Macedonian companions in Acts.
When was Politarch Inscription (Thessalonica) discovered?
It was found in 1835 by Copied by travellers in 1835; the Vardar Gate arch was demolished in 1876 and the block was sent to the British Museum in 1877, at Vardar (Vardaris) Gate, Thessaloniki.
Where is Politarch Inscription (Thessalonica) today?
British Museum, London (inscription 1877,0512.1).
Which Bible verses does Politarch Inscription (Thessalonica) relate to?
Acts 17:1, Acts 17:6-8, 1 Thessalonians 2:14.
Related discoveries
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
- אַרְטֶמִיסTemple of Artemis at EphesusOne of the Seven Wonders, whose silver shrines sparked the riot against Paul
- שׁוּקThessalonica: The Roman Forum and the Arch of GaleriusThe city centre where 'the world was turned upside down', found by accident in 1962
- נְצִיבSergius Paulus InscriptionsStones from Cyprus, Rome, and Pisidian Antioch naming the proconsul who believed
- תַּרְשִׁישׁTarsus: The Roman Road and Cleopatra's GatePaved street and city gate of Paul's 'no mean city'
- בֵּימָהGallio Inscription (Delphi)Letter of Emperor Claudius naming Gallio proconsul of Achaia — the anchor date for Paul's ministry
Sources
- G. H. R. Horsley, 'The Politarchs', in The Book of Acts in Its Graeco-Roman Setting (1994)
- Wikipedia, 'Politarch'
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