Apollonia
Summary
A city of Macedonia on the Via Egnatia through which Paul and Silas passed on their journey from Philippi to Thessalonica.
☩Location and History
Apollonia was situated in the Macedonian province of Mygdonia, south of Lake Bolbe and north of the Chalcidian mountains. The city lay on the Via Egnatia, the great Roman road that served as one of the main military and commercial highways of the empire, connecting the Adriatic coast to the river Hebrus. According to the Antonine Itinerary, it was approximately 30 Roman miles from Amphipolis and 37-38 miles from Thessalonica. The city may have been founded around 432 BC, possibly by Corinthian and Corcyrean colonists, and coins attesting its existence date from the fourth century BC.
☩Paul's Journey
Paul and Silas passed through Apollonia during their second missionary journey after leaving Philippi and Amphipolis. The intermediate towns were probably remembered as resting places along the journey, with Apollonia serving as a stop before the missionaries reached their destination of Thessalonica. There is no record that Paul preached or established a church there during this passage. The ruins of the ancient city are identified with the modern village of Pollina.
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Apollonia," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Apollonia," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Apollonia," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.George Morrish, "Apollonia," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).