Nicopolis
“City of victory”
Summary
Nicopolis was a city in western Greece where Paul intended to spend a winter and asked Titus to join him.
☩Paul's Destination
Paul wrote to Titus instructing him to come to Nicopolis, as he had decided to spend the winter there. At the time of writing, Paul was apparently not yet at Nicopolis, as indicated by his use of 'there' rather than 'here.' He urged Titus to make haste, suggesting winter was approaching. It is possible that Paul was arrested at Nicopolis and taken thence to Rome for his final trial, though this remains conjecture.
☩Location and History
While there were several cities named Nicopolis ('City of Victory'), the most likely reference is to the celebrated city in Epirus, on the western coast of Greece. This Nicopolis was founded by Augustus Caesar in commemoration of his victory at the nearby Battle of Actium in 31 BC. Augustus enclosed the place where his tent had been pitched, dedicated it to Neptune, and built the city on the isthmus, making it a Roman colony. It became the chief city of western Greece and an important center for apostolic outreach to Illyricum, Dalmatia, and the surrounding regions. The city was conveniently situated for journeys in the eastern parts of Achaia and Macedonia. Herod the Great contributed to building some of its handsomest structures.
Related Verses1 mention
Titus· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Nicopolis," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Nicopolis," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).