Rome: The most celebrated city in the world at the time of Christ. It is
said to have been founded B.C. 753 When the New Testament was
written, Rome was enriched and adorned with the spoils of the world,
and contained a population estimated at 1,200,000 of which the half
were slaves, and including representatives of nearly every nation then
known. It was distinguished for its wealth and luxury and profligacy.
The empire of which it was the capital had then reached its greatest
prosperity. On the day of Pentecost there were in Jerusalem "strangers
from Rome," who doubtless carried with them back to Rome tidings of
that great day, and were instrumental in founding the church there.
Paul was brought to this city a prisoner, where he remained for two
years
(Acts 28:30,31) "in his own hired house." While here, Paul
wrote his epistles to the Philippians, to the Ephesians, to the
Colossians, to Philemon, and probably also to the Hebrews. He had
during these years for companions Luke and Aristarchus
(Acts 27:2)
Timothy
(Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1) Tychicus
(Ephesians 6:21) Epaphroditus
(Philippians 4:18) and John Mark
(Colossians 4:10)
(See PAUL)
Beneath this city are extensive galleries, called "catacombs," which
were used from about the time of the apostles (one of the inscriptions
found in them bears the date A.D. 71 for some three hundred years as
places of refuge in the time of persecution, and also of worship and
burial. About four thousand inscriptions have been found in the
catacombs. These give an interesting insight into the history of the
church at Rome down to the time of Constantine.
