Some of the accuracy and authenticity of the book of Acts can be seen in the use of exact administerial/political terminology for various locales. In the Roman Empire (from 27 BC), provinces were divided into two classes: senatorial provinces and imperial provinces (see entry “province” in online Encyclopedia Britannica). In senatorial districts like Paphos and Achaia the officers were ανθυπατω, translated deputy (Latin proconsul, “[acting] in place of a consul”) Acts 13:7-8, 12; 18:12. In an imperial district like Philippi they were στρατηγοι, translated magistrates (Latin duumviri, “two men”) Acts 16:20, 22, 35-36, 38. Locally in Thessalonica they were πολιταρχας, translated rulers of the city (Greek, “chief men” or “first men”) Acts 17:6, 8.
Πολιταρχας is used only in Acts 17:6 & 8 in the Bible. It was a very specific term for local rulers, which was doubted by skeptics until the discovery of the word on an excavated Thessalonian arch. The block now resides in the British Museum. “This large stone was built into a wall at the Vardar Gate of Thessalonica and was removed in 1877. The stone has been assumed to name city officials of the era. The inscription is important to New Testament scholars because it is one of the few stones that attests the existence of the office of politarch, mentioned in the Bible (Acts 17:6 and 8) and in only a few other literary sources.” https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1877-0511-1 Accessed 5 January 2024 10:35 pm.
3 comments:
very interesting and fascinating - i get intrigued with the little minute details that further crystalize the integrity of the scripture.
i assume that after every election, they would have to replace that darn stone again!
build the wall!...again!
The stonemasons probably voted for the same people every election, so they would not have to redo it! Or conversely, if they were paid well, maybe they voted for change every time, knowing they would get a new contract?
either way - it seems fixed!
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