Unveiling Apostle Paul’s Footsteps! Ancient Corinth ruins and the Bema
Step into the echoes of ancient history as we journey through the ruins of Corinth, a city that once thrived at the crossroads of culture, commerce, and faith.
Join us as we uncover the layers of time that have shaped this remarkable site, once visited by the Apostle Paul.
From the majestic Bema, where public proclamations echoed, to the remnants of temples and marketplaces, each stone whispers stories of a vibrant past.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a spiritual seeker, or simply curious about the world, this exploration of Apostle Paul’s footsteps in Corinth promises to ignite your imagination and deepen your appreciation for this fascinating intersection of faith and ancient civilization.
Video: Ancient Corinth & Bema of Corinth: Where the Apostle Paul was judged
Witness the awe-inspiring remnants of Ancient Corinth and experience the grandeur of the Bema in this captivating video presentation. Embark on a visual journey through time and immerse yourself in the rich history of this legendary site. Prepare to be mesmerized!
You can watch the video directly here or on YouTube using the link: https://youtu.be/zSYKUWK-PGs. If you are reading this article from your smartphone, scroll to the bottom of the page and exit the mobile mode to view it directly on this page.
Table of Contents for Unveiling Apostle Paul’s Footsteps! Ancient Corinth ruins and the Bema
Ancient Corint and the Tribunal Bema of Corinth: Where the Apostle Paul was judged
The ancient city of Corinth and its connection to the apostle Paul or the Apostle to the Nations is well-known in biblical history. Paul lived and preached in ancient Corinth. When you visit ancient Corinth, you will also have the opportunity to see the renowned Bema.
During his time in ancient Corinth, Paul was brought before the proconsul Gallio to be judged. He was accused of teaching unlawful doctrines.
However, Gallio refused to pass judgment on Paul, considering it to be a matter of religious nature.
Most likely, Paul was supposed to be judged on this Bema. The Bema was an elevated platform situated at the center of the ancient Corinthian Roman forum. It was the place where city officials addressed the people. In fact, right in front of the Bema, there is a sign that confirms the probable connection with the apostle Paul.
The Theater and the First Christians
The Apostle Paul wrote to the first Christians of Corinth: “We have become a theatrical spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men”. This statement must have been well understood and imagined by the first Christians of that time who did not live far from the enormous theater of Epidaurus. If you want to see this magnificent theater that probably echoed in the minds of the first Christians go to the following post:
Corinth as a day trip from Athens
If you are in Athens, a great idea for a day trip is a visit to Corinth. In just 75 minutes by car from Athens, you can immerse yourself in the thousand-year-old atmosphere of this historic city. Ancient Corinth is worth a visit for several reasons.
First of all, it is very interesting to try to understand life in this rich city. Thanks to the Corinth Canal, it was a multicultural city. All ships that had to go from east to west went to Corinth.
It is true that the canal was not navigable until the late 1800s, but it is also true that it was preferred to transport ships by land through the strait rather than circumnavigate the entire Peloponnese region. This last option was very dangerous as many ships were sunk due to strong winds.
Ancient Corinth is also linked to the history of Christianity as the apostle Paul lived and preached in the city for a long time.
When we visit and observe the ruins of an ancient city we enjoy the visit better if we have information about what we are seeing. For this reason, let’s try to understand something more about Ancient Corinth together.
What are the characteristics of ancient Corinth? What was life like in this ancient city? You will find out by reading this post.
Outside the walls of Ancient Corinth
Ancient Corinth covered a radius of 900 km2. By the 8th century BC, it was a rich and powerful city-state. The limits of Corinthia reached the Megarid. To the south, it bordered Kleonai and Argolid.
To the west, it bordered Sikyon. To the east, Corinthia shared its maritime borders with the island of Aigina.
At the foot of Acrocorinth, within the walls, was the city of Corinth, the political center of Corinthia. The surrounding countryside had smaller settlements, the so-called komai. Some of their names have been preserved through ancient sources: Solygeia. Tenea, Krommyon, Sidous, Therma, Peiraion, Oinoe, Lechaion, Kenchreai, Schoinous, Asai. Kromna, Mausos, Melissos, Voukephalos, Petri
Who ruled Corinth?
In the 8th century BC, Corinth was ruled by an oligarchic regime under the Bacchiad dynasty. In the 7th and 6th centuries BC, tyranny was the ruling regime. During the time of the tyrants Kypselos and Periander, the city became prosperous. Oligarchy returned later.
The Corinthians were divided into eight tribes (phylai). Each tribe elected ten deputies, with Provoulos at the head. The 8 Provouloi governed the State of Corinth.
Already by the 8th century BC, ancient Corinth was a rich and powerful city-state mainly because of two ports:
- Lechaio in the Gulf of Corinth
- Cencrea on the Saronic Gulf
Ancient Corinth and its Kingdom:
The Eastern Region
The eastern region of Corinthia was relatively underpopulated. The most important settlement in the region must have been Solygeia, near the modern village of Galataki.
The Northern Region
The northernmost settlement of Corinthia was Krommyon, near the modern village of Ayoio Theodoroi. According to the myth, this is where Theseus killed the dangerous sow, Phaia.
Corinthian Identity
Corinth was made up of dozens of settlements, both large and small. But what did their residents have in common?
These people traced their common ancestry to the Dorians. And, of course, they shared a common language and alphabet.
Ancient Corinth was built at the foot of the Acrocorinth, a majestic hill that dominates the landscape.
Home Life in Ancient Corinth
In ancient Greece, private buildings were generally modest structures in contrast to many magnificent public constructions.
Women ran households. They raised their children and supervised the slaves, who were entrusted with the heaviest tasks in the house.
Men were usually absent, mainly occupied with political and professional commitments.
Visiting Ancient Corinth, you can easily understand how women’s habits were very similar to ours. In the museum, you can see sets for facial care, such as perfumes and cosmetics, hair accessories, and eyebrow tweezers.
Worshipped gods and heroes
The Corinthians worshipped Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, Demeter, Kore, Hera, and Poseidon. Hero worship was a distinctive aspect of ancient Greek religious life.
Heroes, men who had shown remarkable activity during their lifetime, were honored after their death with rituals performed in their tombs or in an open-air sanctuary. Hero sanctuaries were built alongside roads or over older tombs.
A temple dedicated to Apollo
The Temple of Apollo is the largest monument on the archaeological site. The temple was built in the 6th century BC, when Corinth was at its peak, on the site of an earlier temple. It was constructed from local porous limestone.
Its peristyle consisted of 38 Doric columns surrounding the building and 16 more inside. The main part of the temple (sekos) was divided into two non-communicating rooms. The roof was decorated with colorful architectural elements.
The Acrocorinth: The Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore
Demeter and her daughter, Kore or Persephone, were worshipped in a large sanctuary on the northern slope of the Acrocorinth.
A small theater was carved into the rock in the 4th century BC, and three small temples were also built in the Roman period.
Odeum and theater of ancient Corinth
The theater was a place where dramatic and musical events were staged. In the Roman period, staged fights were added.
The theater was built in several phases. The original structure was built in the late 5th century BC and had permanent seats but only a wooden stage.
This was later supplemented with a new orchestra and theater structure in the Hellenistic period.
In late antiquity, theatrical tastes changed, and the orchestra was transformed into a gladiatorial arena.
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- Ancient Corinth and its wonderful structures
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