Topical Bible: Syria: Subdued and Governed by the Romans

◄ Syria: Subdued and Governed by the Romans ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Syria, a region of significant historical and biblical importance, was a land that experienced various phases of conquest and governance, culminating in its subjugation and administration by the Roman Empire. This entry explores the biblical and historical context of Syria under Roman rule, highlighting its significance in the biblical narrative and early Christian history.

Historical Context

Syria, located to the north of Israel, was a land of diverse cultures and peoples. It was a significant center of trade and culture in the ancient Near East. Throughout its history, Syria was ruled by various empires, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks. The Seleucid Empire, a Hellenistic state, controlled Syria until the rise of the Roman Empire.

In 64 BC, the Roman general Pompey the Great annexed Syria, making it a Roman province. This marked the beginning of Roman governance in the region, which would last for several centuries. The Roman administration brought relative stability and infrastructure development, including roads and cities, which facilitated trade and communication.

Biblical References

Syria is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, often in the context of its interactions with Israel and Judah. During the Roman period, Syria's significance is highlighted in the New Testament. The city of Antioch in Syria became a major center for early Christianity. It was in Antioch that the followers of Jesus were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:26).

The Roman governance of Syria is indirectly referenced in the New Testament through the mention of Roman officials and the political landscape of the time. For instance, the Gospel of Luke records the decree from Caesar Augustus that led to the census, which brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-3). This decree was part of the Roman administrative practices in their provinces, including Syria.

Roman Administration and Influence

Under Roman rule, Syria was governed by a series of Roman officials, including procurators and legates. The Roman administration was characterized by a blend of local autonomy and imperial oversight. The Romans allowed a degree of self-governance in cities like Antioch, which became a vital hub for commerce and culture.

The Roman influence in Syria extended to architecture, law, and military presence. Roman roads connected Syria to other parts of the empire, facilitating the spread of ideas, including the message of Christianity. The Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, provided a relatively stable environment that allowed the early church to grow and spread throughout the region.

Significance in Early Christianity

Syria's role in the early Christian church is of particular importance. Antioch, as a major city in Roman Syria, became a pivotal location for the missionary activities of the Apostle Paul. It served as a launching point for his missionary journeys and was a place where Jewish and Gentile believers coexisted and worshiped together.

The church in Antioch played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity beyond Jewish communities, embracing Gentile converts and sending missionaries to other parts of the Roman Empire. This inclusivity and missionary zeal were instrumental in the growth of the early church.

Conclusion

Syria, under Roman rule, was a land of strategic importance and cultural diversity. Its cities, particularly Antioch, were central to the development and spread of early Christianity. The Roman infrastructure and governance provided a backdrop for the missionary activities recorded in the New Testament, highlighting Syria's enduring significance in biblical history.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 2:2
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How the Kings of Asia Honored the Nation of the Jews and Made them ...
... Mucianus, who was then president of Syria, preserved it ... that Vespasian and Titus
his son governed the habitable ... whose wicked opposition they had subdued in the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how the kings.htm

That the Jews Ceased to have Prophets after the Rebuilding of the ...
... Then Antiochus king of Syria compelled them by many and ... At that time Rome had already
subdued Africa and ... the republic, in which she should be governed by kings ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 45 that the jews ceased.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... first Cossaean kings"The peoples of Syria, their towns ... first alarm.* These tribes
were governed by numerous ... the more civilized people which they had subdued. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Gospel According to St. Luke
... faith, their rivalries, are set in a subdued light ... that Quirinius was not governor
of Syria when Jesus ... proof that some high official twice governed Syria in the ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter v the gospel according.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The whole of "Sumer" was subdued, and the memory of a ... the army of the invaders in
Syria at the ... by a Sumerian dynasty from the south, which governed the country ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Questions.
... 23. Who governed Babylon? 24. ... 7. Who subdued all the rest of Greece? ... 18. What marriage
took place between the royal families of Egypt and Syria? 19. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Book 1.
... He governed public affairs after an illegal and impure ... pursued them to the bounds
of Syria." These and ... had come from another country, and subdued Egypt, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book 1.htm

1 Cor. Ii. 1, 2
... having entered in, can it ever be subdued; even though ... things I say, both to governors
and governed; and, before ... suppose that Batanea, which is in Syria, was a ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vi 1 cor ii.htm

Book ii.
... when he had gotten possession of all Syria by force ... For we Jews are always governed
by the same laws, in ... and most nations have been often subdued, and brought ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book ii.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... numberless cities in Asia Minor, in Syria, in Egypt ... the world, of the secular empire
subdued and inherited ... pass that the universal Church was governed from the ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm