Sergius Paulus Inscriptions
Stones from Cyprus, Rome, and Pisidian Antioch naming the proconsul who believed
Found 1887 — Soloi inscription: Luigi Palma di Cesnola (1887); Tiber boundary stone found at Rome (1887); Pisidian Antioch stones: W. M. Ramsay (1912)
Where Soloi (Cyprus); Rome; Yalvaç (Pisidian Antioch), Turkey (Cyprus / Italy / Turkey)
Dates from c. 40s–70s CE · Early Roman Imperial · Paul's first journey (Acts 13)
Now at Soloi stone: Cyprus Museum, Nicosia (reported); Tiber stone: Vatican Museums; Antioch stones: Yalvaç Museum, Turkey
Names a biblical person Sergius Paulus (which stone refers to the proconsul of Acts 13 is debated)
How Sergius Paulus Inscriptions was found
Three separate finds: a Greek inscription at Soloi in northern Cyprus mentioning 'Paulus, proconsul'; a Latin boundary stone from the Tiber at Rome listing L. Sergius Paullus among the river curators under Claudius (47 CE); and Latin stones at Pisidian Antioch naming a senatorial family of Sergii Paulli.
What it is
A cluster of Greek and Latin inscriptions. The Soloi stone is fragmentary and its date is argued over; the Rome stone is a securely dated Claudian boundary marker; the Antioch stones show the family's estates in Pisidia.
Why it matters for the Bible
Acts 13:7 calls Sergius Paulus 'proconsul' of Cyprus — the correct title after the island became a senatorial province in 22 BCE — and says he believed. The Rome stone proves a Lucius Sergius Paullus held high office under Claudius, the right time for Paul's visit. The family's roots at Pisidian Antioch may explain why Paul went straight there next (Acts 13:14): the proconsul could have sent him to his own people. None of the stones says Cyprus outright with a secure date, so the link is strong but not airtight.
The Hebrew word: ne-TSEEV
נְצִיב
נְצִיב is pronounced ne-TSEEV and means governor (Greek anthypatos, 'proconsul') (Strong's G446).
People this discovery connects to
- Sergius Paulus — סֶרְגִיּוֹס פָּאוּלוֹס (SER-gee-os PAH-oo-los) — Latin Sergius Paullus; Roman proconsul of Cyprus
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for (Greek Paulos)
- Barnabas — בַּר־נַבָּא (bar-nah-BAH) — son of encouragement (Aramaic)
Places
- Paphos — פָּפוֹס (PAH-fos) — Greek Paphos, capital of Roman Cyprus
- Pisidian Antioch — אַנְטְיוֹכְיָה (ahn-tee-och-YAH) — Greek Antiocheia
Events
Sergius Paulus believes at Paphos · Paul's move to Pisidian Antioch
Sergius Paulus Inscriptions in Scripture
Acts 13:7 Names Sergius Paulus as proconsul — the title and family confirmed by these stones.
Questions people ask
What is Sergius Paulus Inscriptions?
A cluster of Greek and Latin inscriptions. The Soloi stone is fragmentary and its date is argued over; the Rome stone is a securely dated Claudian boundary marker; the Antioch stones show the family's estates in Pisidia.
When was Sergius Paulus Inscriptions discovered?
It was found in 1887 by Soloi inscription: Luigi Palma di Cesnola (1887); Tiber boundary stone found at Rome (1887); Pisidian Antioch stones: W. M. Ramsay (1912), at Soloi (Cyprus); Rome; Yalvaç (Pisidian Antioch), Turkey.
Where is Sergius Paulus Inscriptions today?
Soloi stone: Cyprus Museum, Nicosia (reported); Tiber stone: Vatican Museums; Antioch stones: Yalvaç Museum, Turkey.
Which Bible verses does Sergius Paulus Inscriptions relate to?
Acts 13:7.
Is Sergius Paulus Inscriptions authentic?
The Rome stone is secure; whether the Soloi stone refers to the same man, and whether he bore the name Lucius, are disputed. Cypriot governorship is not directly attested outside Acts.
Related discoveries
- בֵּית הַכְּנֶסֶתPisidian Antioch: Temple of Augustus and the Res Gestae CopyImperial-cult city where Paul preached his first recorded sermon
- אֱלִילִיםLystra Inscription and the Zeus–Hermes Cult StonesThe stone that located Lystra and the local worship of the two gods Paul was mistaken for
- שׁוֹטChrysopolitissa Basilica and 'St Paul's Pillar', PaphosCyprus' largest early church and the column where tradition says Paul was flogged
- רָאשֵׁי הָעִירPolitarch Inscription (Thessalonica)Arch inscription proving Luke's rare word for city rulers was exactly right
- 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
- מְכַשֵּׁףHouse of Theseus, Paphos: The Roman Governor's ResidenceThe proconsul's palace in the city where Sergius Paulus believed
Sources
- S. Mitchell, Anatolia: Land, Men, and Gods in Asia Minor, vol. 2 (1993), ch. 6
- Wikipedia, 'Sergius Paulus'