Assos is an ancient city located in the region of Mysia in northwestern Asia Minor, present-day Turkey. It holds significant historical and biblical importance, particularly in the context of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys as recorded in the New Testament.

Biblical Reference:

Assos is mentioned in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 20:13-14 : "We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, intending to take Paul on board there, for he had arranged it this way. He was going on foot. When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went on to Mitylene."

This passage highlights Assos as a key location during Paul's third missionary journey. After spending time in Troas, Paul decided to travel on foot to Assos, while his companions sailed there. This decision may have been influenced by the rugged terrain and the opportunity for solitude and reflection during the walk, which was approximately 20 miles. Upon reaching Assos, Paul rejoined his companions and continued his journey by sea.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Assos was strategically situated on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, providing a natural defense and a commanding view of the surrounding area. The city was known for its strong fortifications and its harbor, which facilitated trade and travel across the region. Founded by Aeolian Greeks in the 7th century BC, Assos became an important cultural and philosophical center. The philosopher Aristotle spent time in Assos, where he married the niece of the local ruler, Hermias.

The city's acropolis was adorned with a temple dedicated to Athena, reflecting the religious practices of the time. The ruins of this temple, along with other archaeological remains, continue to attract scholars and tourists interested in ancient history and biblical studies.

Theological Significance:

Assos serves as a testament to the spread of early Christianity and the missionary zeal of the Apostle Paul. His journey through Assos underscores the commitment to evangelism and the establishment of Christian communities across the Roman Empire. The decision to walk alone to Assos may also reflect Paul's desire for personal communion with God, a theme that resonates with the Christian emphasis on prayer and reflection.

The mention of Assos in the Book of Acts provides insight into the logistical challenges and strategic planning involved in Paul's missionary efforts. It also highlights the interconnectedness of the early Christian communities and the importance of travel and communication in the dissemination of the Gospel message.

Cultural and Archaeological Insights:

Modern archaeological excavations at Assos have uncovered significant artifacts and structures, including the well-preserved city walls, the agora, and the theater. These findings offer valuable insights into the daily life, culture, and religious practices of the inhabitants during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Assos remains a site of interest for biblical scholars, historians, and archaeologists, providing a tangible connection to the world of the New Testament and the early Christian church. The city's enduring legacy is a reminder of the historical and spiritual journey of the early apostles as they spread the message of Christ throughout the ancient world.Assos

approaching; coming near

Assos

A seaport in Mysia, opposite to the island of Lesbos on the north. Here Paul took ship for Mitylene, Acts 20:13. It is now a poor village, called Beiram.

A sea-port town of Proconsular Asia, in the district of Mysia, on the north shore of the Gulf of Adramyttium. Paul came hither on foot along the Roman road from Troas (Acts 20:13, 14), a distance of 20 miles. It was about 30 miles distant from Troas by sea. The island of Lesbos lay opposite it, about 7 miles distant. ASSOS

as'-os (Assos): An ancient city of Mysia in the Roman province of Asia, at which, according to Acts 20:13, Paul and Luke rested while on their way from Troas to Mitylene. Standing upon a conical-shaped rock on the southern coast of the Troad, it occupied one of the finest sites in Asia. The rock is about 700 ft. high; its sides are covered with terraces, both natural and artificial, and so steep is it that Stratoricus wrote of it: "If you wish to hasten your death, try and climb Assos." The view from the summit is extensive and magnificent.

The city, which is very ancient, is said to have been rounded by the Aeolians, and to have always been singularly Greek. As early as the 5th century B.C. it struck its own coins, and its coinage system continued until 235 A.D. One of its early rulers or tyrants was Hermeas, a eunuch, once a slave, who gave his niece in marriage to Aristotle. There the great Greek philosopher lived three years, from 348 to 345 B.C. During the time of the kings of Pergamus, the city bore the name of Apollonia. To the Byzantines it was known as Machramion, and at present the town, which has dwindled in importance under Turkish rule, is called Bekhram, a Turkish corruption of the Byzantine name.

The ruins of Assos are among the most imposing in Asia Minor, and yet they have long served as a quarry; from its public buildings the stones for the Constantinople docks were taken. The Turkish sultan Murad II presented the many beautiful bas-reliefs of the Doric temple of Athene to the French government, which are now preserved in the Louvre. The ruins were carefully explored and partially excavated in 1882-83 by Mr. Clarke for the Archaeological Institute of America, and the entire plan of the ancient city is clear. Upon the very summit of the hill stood the temple of Athena which is said to have been erected about 470 B.C. Among its ruins Clarke found eight other bas-reliefs which are now in the Boston Museum and which possess a special interest because of their connection between the art of the Orient and of Greece.

Upon the several natural terraces of the hill which have been enlarged by artificial means, stood the many public buildings, as the gymnasium, the public treasury, the baths, the market place and theater, of which but little now remains. The city was surrounded by a double wall which in places is still well preserved. The inner wall of dressed stones laid without mortar, and filled with loose stones, is 8 ft. thick, and the larger outer wall was protected with towers at intervals of 60 ft. The ancient road leading to Troas was well paved. The harbor from which Paul sailed has now been filled up and is covered with gardens, but at its side is the modern harbor protected by an artificial mole, about which are clustered the few houses bearing the name of Bekhram. Upon the summit of the hill, by the ruins of the temple, are cisterns, a Turkish fortress and a Byzantine church which has been converted into a mosque. Without the city walls is a necropolis. Its many sarcophagi of all ages and sizes and shapes are made of the native trachyte stone which, so the ancients believed, possessed the quality of consuming the bodies buried in it. The stone is the famous "Lapis Assius," or the flesh-eating, hence the word sarcophagus. In former times wheat was raised extensively in the fields about Assos, but now valonia, or acorn cups, form the chief article for export.

E. J. Banks

789. Assos -- Assos, a city on the W. coast of Asia Minor
... 788, 789. Assos. 790 . Assos, a city on the W. coast of Asia Minor. Part
of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Assos Phonetic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/789.htm - 6k

Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
... Paul's company went by ship first to Assos, where Paul met them; he having
covered the distance of about twenty miles on foot. At ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/ii pauls journeys acts 13 1-38 31.htm

Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem
... The apostle himself, however, chose to take the nearer route by land between
Troas and Assos, meeting his companions at the latter city. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 37 pauls last journey.htm

Acts XX
... (13) "We went forward to the ship, and sailed for Assos, intending there to take ...
(14) "And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xx.htm

In the Beginning God Made the Heaven and the Earth.
... i. 14, "Cleanthes" (of Assos, c. 264 bc, a disciple of Zeno) "autem tum ipsum mundum
Deum dicit esse; tum totius natur?? menti atque animo tribuit hoc nomen ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily i in the beginning.htm

The Iranian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

Assos (2 Occurrences)
... It was about 30 miles distant from Troas by sea. The island of Lesbos lay opposite
it, about 7 miles distant. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ASSOS. ...
/a/assos.htm - 10k

Mitylene (1 Occurrence)
... It lies between Assos and Chios. ... Mitylene (1 Occurrence). Acts 20:14 When he
met us at Assos, we took him aboard, and came to Mitylene. ...
/m/mitylene.htm - 9k

Afoot (3 Occurrences)
... a-foot' (pezeuo, "to go on foot"): By walking from Troas to Assos Paul avoided the
tedious voyage round Cape Lectum (Acts 20:13 the King James Version; compare ...
/a/afoot.htm - 7k

Aboard (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take
Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land. ...
/a/aboard.htm - 9k

Board (47 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take
Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land. ...
/b/board.htm - 23k

Ass's (7 Occurrences)

/a/ass's.htm - 8k

Ship (122 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take
Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land. ...
/s/ship.htm - 36k

Intending (24 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take
Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land. ...
/i/intending.htm - 13k

Trogyllium (1 Occurrence)
... A town on the western coast of Asia Minor, where Paul "tarried" when on his way
from Assos to Miletus, on his third missionary journey (Acts 20:15). Int. ...
/t/trogyllium.htm - 8k

Directed (75 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:13 And we, having gone before on board ship, sailed off to Assos, going
to take in Paul there; for so he had directed, he himself being about to go on ...
/d/directed.htm - 26k

What happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.org

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