Disembarking in Salamis in 47 C.E. , three missionaries “went through the whole island” finally reaching Paphos, the capital of the island in Roman times. There they met the proconsul Sergius Paulus, “an intelligent man” who “earnestly sought to hear the word of God”. They were opposed by the Jew Bar-Jesus, an influential court magician. His professional title was Elymas, meaning Sorcerer. Paul struck him with temporary blindness. Sergius Paulus witnessed this powerful demonstration and was “astounded at their teaching” (Acts of the Apostles chapter 13)
A Roman Senatorial Province - Cyprus in the time of the Apostle Paul
Cyprus was originally part of the “imperial” province of Syria and was administered by a deputy general or legate. In 27 B.C.E., Emperor Augustus took charge of all provinces requiring the presence of military forces, leaving ten others as senatorial provinces.
In 22 B.C.E. Cyprus became a separate senatorial province ruled by a proconsul empowered to direct civil affairs and hand down judicial decisions. He was answerable to the Senate which regularly assessed his actions. The proconsuls were of two classes. Ex-consuls were sent to the provinces of Asia and Africa. Ex-praetors (judicial officers with extensive authority in government) were appointed to other senatorial provinces.
Roman artifacts from Cyprus
Cyprus was ruled by a proconsul. McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia, 1968, mentions an archaeological finding on the island of Cyprus - a coin with the head and title of Claudius (in Latin) on the obverse side and on the reverse side: “Under Arminius Proclus, Proconsul of the Cyprians” (in Greek).
In 1877, an inscription dating from 54-55 C.E. was found in Soli near Paphos which refers to an event “in the proconsulship of Paulus.” Archaeologist G. Ernest Wright in Biblical Archaeology, 1957, says: “It is the one reference we have to this proconsul outside the Bible and it is interesting that Luke gives us correctly his name and title.”
According to The Annual of the BritishSchool of Athens London 1947 in 1887, the same name was also found on a boundary stone set up by the Emperor Claudius Caesar in Rome. The stone records that in AD 47 “L. Sergius Paulus.”was appointed as one of the keepers of the banks and channel of the river Tiber under Claudius Caesar. However, it is not verified whether this is the same man
The Early Christians and Rome
It was well-known throughout the Roman world that Christians would not hold political and military office. Always uncompromising, they refused to even burn incense before the Emperor and so suffered the ultimate test of their faith in the arena. A. Hamman’s Daily Life Among the Early Christians, 95-197 C.E . and E. G. Hardy’s Christianity and the Roman Government throw much enlightenment on this unsettled era.
Thus many questions arise. After embracing the Christian faith and ideals, did Sergius Paulus remain proconsul of Cyprus? In view of the prevalent feelings against the Christians, would the Senate have tolerated a newly converted Christian in such a prestigious position? Did Sergius Paulus soon after his conversion return to Rome to accept an appointment as one of the keepers of the river Tiber? Perhaps future archaeological finds will give the answers.
Helena Petridou - I lived the first twenty-one years of my life in Dorset – in Thomas Hardy country and thus began my great love for literature. Upon ...
