Assos
“Unknown”
Summary
An ancient seaport city in Mysia on the coast of Asia Minor, where Paul rejoined his companions on his journey to Jerusalem.
☩Biblical Reference
Assos was a convenient stopping point on Paul's third missionary journey. While his companions sailed from Troas around Cape Lectum, Paul walked overland the approximately twenty miles to Assos, where he met the ship and sailed with them to Mitylene.
☩Location and Description
Assos stood upon a conical-shaped rock about 700 feet high on the southern coast of the Troad, occupying one of the finest sites in Asia. The view from the summit was extensive and magnificent. The city was so difficult to reach that ancient writers joked about it: 'If you wish to hasten your death, try and climb Assos.'
☩Historical Significance
Assos was an ancient Greek city that struck its own coins from the 5th century BC. The philosopher Aristotle lived there for three years from 348 to 345 BC. The city possessed a famous temple of Athena and well-preserved walls. Its 'Lapis Assius,' a stone believed to consume flesh, gave rise to the word sarcophagus. The ruins were explored in 1882-83 by the Archaeological Institute of America.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Assos," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Assos," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Assos," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Assos," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).