Thessalonica: The Roman Forum and the Arch of Galerius
The city centre where 'the world was turned upside down', found by accident in 1962
Found 1962 — Greek Archaeological Service (Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki; Photios Petsas and successors) — forum found during foundation works for a courthouse in 1962; systematic excavation 1966–1990s; Arch of Galerius always standing, studied by Hans von Schoenebeck (1937) and restored 1950s
Where Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia (Greece)
Dates from Forum 1st century CE, rebuilt 2nd–3rd century; Arch and Rotunda c. 298–306 CE · Roman Imperial · Paul at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9); 1–2 Thessalonians
Now at In situ (Ancient Agora archaeological site with underground museum; Arch of Galerius on Egnatia street); finds in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
How Thessalonica: The Roman Forum and the Arch of Galerius was found
Digging for a new law-court in the city centre struck the marble paving and cryptoporticus of the Roman agora; the project was abandoned and the square excavated, revealing the odeon, stoas, a mint and public baths. Two blocks away the four-way triumphal arch of Galerius carries reliefs of his Persian war.
What it is
A two-terraced marble-paved square about 150 by 100 m with double-storey stoas on three sides, a vaulted underground gallery (cryptoporticus) of shops, an odeon of about 400 seats, and bath buildings. The Arch of Galerius, of brick faced with sculpted marble panels, once spanned the Via Egnatia and led to the domed Rotunda, later a church.
Why it matters for the Bible
The forum is the agora of Acts 17:5, where a mob of 'loafers from the marketplace' dragged Jason before the politarchs (whose inscription has its own entry) crying that Paul's friends 'turned the world upside down' and claimed 'another king, Yeshua'. The excavated square, with its odeon and civic offices, is exactly that setting, though its visible marble is a 2nd-century rebuild. The Arch of Galerius, raised 250 years later by the emperor who launched the Great Persecution, shows the imperial claim to kingship against which the Thessalonian believers had been accused.
The Hebrew word: SHOOK
שׁוּק
שׁוּק is pronounced SHOOK and means street, market — the agora where the crowd was gathered against Paul (Strong's H7784).
People this discovery connects to
- Jason of Thessalonica — יָסוֹן (yah-SOHN) — Greek Iason, often used by Jews for Yehoshua/Yeshua; Paul's host
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (shah-OOL) — 'asked for'; Latin Paulus
Places
- Thessalonica — תֶּסָלוֹנִיקִי (teh-sah-lo-NEE-kee) — Greek Thessalonike, named for Alexander's half-sister
Events
Riot in the agora of Thessalonica · Jason before the politarchs · Paul's letters to the Thessalonians
Thessalonica: The Roman Forum and the Arch of Galerius in Scripture
Acts 17:1 Paul arrives at Thessalonica by the Via Egnatia, which the Arch of Galerius later spanned. (First mention of Thessalonica.)
Acts 17:5-7 The mob from the agora and the charge of 'another king' — the excavated forum is the scene.
1 Thessalonians 1:8-9 The Thessalonians turned from idols; the forum shows the public pagan life they left.
Questions people ask
What is Thessalonica: The Roman Forum and the Arch of Galerius?
A two-terraced marble-paved square about 150 by 100 m with double-storey stoas on three sides, a vaulted underground gallery (cryptoporticus) of shops, an odeon of about 400 seats, and bath buildings. The Arch of Galerius, of brick faced with sculpted marble panels, once spanned the Via Egnatia and led to the domed Rotunda, later a church.
When was Thessalonica: The Roman Forum and the Arch of Galerius discovered?
It was found in 1962 by Greek Archaeological Service (Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki; Photios Petsas and successors) — forum found during foundation works for a courthouse in 1962; systematic excavation 1966–1990s; Arch of Galerius always standing, studied by Hans von Schoenebeck (1937) and restored 1950s, at Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia.
Where is Thessalonica: The Roman Forum and the Arch of Galerius today?
In situ (Ancient Agora archaeological site with underground museum; Arch of Galerius on Egnatia street); finds in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
Which Bible verses does Thessalonica: The Roman Forum and the Arch of Galerius relate to?
Acts 17:1, Acts 17:5-7, 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9.
Related discoveries
- דֶּרֶךְVia Egnatia and the Port of NeapolisThe Roman highway and harbour that carried the Good News into Europe
- בֵּימָהThe Bema at CorinthThe judgment platform in the forum where Paul stood before Gallio
- רָאשֵׁי הָעִירPolitarch Inscription (Thessalonica)Arch inscription proving Luke's rare word for city rulers was exactly right
- 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
- מָקוֹם תְּפִלָּהLydia's Baptism Site on the Gangites (Zygaktis) RiverThe riverside 'place of prayer' outside Philippi where Europe's first recorded believer was immersed
Sources
- Roman Forum (Thessaloniki) (Wikipedia)
- Arch of Galerius and Rotunda (Wikipedia)
- Stefanidou-Tiveriou, 'Thessaloniki from Cassander to Galerius'
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