Illustration created for this project.
Lydia — seller of purple
A dealer in purple cloth at Philippi, the first convert in Europe, who hosted Paul and Silas.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Archaeology — physical evidence · 1
Origin & birthplace
BibleA dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira, and the first convert in Europe, baptised with her household at Philippi.
Acts 16:14–15
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Philippi
Life, role & deeds
ArchaeologyInscriptions from Thyatira attest its guild of purple-dyers — the very trade Luke gives her, a small exact touch.
Thyatira guild inscriptions naming the dyers' guild (οἱ βαφεῖς); Thyatira texts collected in Tituli Asiae Minoris V.2, ed. P. Herrmann (Vienna, 1989); trade discussed by C.J. Hemer, 'The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting' (JSOT Press, 1986).
Where in scripture
ActsIn their own words — 1 recorded saying
“And when she and her family had had baptism, she made a request to us, saying, If it seems to you that I am true to the Lord, come into my house and be my guests. And she made us come.” — Acts 16:15
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Places in their life
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Marsyas assumed (based on copyright claims). — CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
In art
