Corinth

City / town · Modern: Ancient Corinth, Greece · Achaia

A wealthy, cosmopolitan Greek port city where Paul spent eighteen months founding a church, and to which he wrote the letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians.

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1 Archaeology — physical evidence · 2

Life, role & deeds

BibleThe city where Paul stayed eighteen months and was brought before the proconsul Gallio.

Acts 18:1–17

↳ Paul the Apostle · Erastus · Gallio

Ktiv — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) ArchaeologyCorinth's forum preserves the bema (judgement seat) where Paul stood, and a pavement inscribed by Erastus, the city treasurer.

Corinth (American School of Classical Studies at Athens excavations since 1896): the bema/rostra in the forum; the Erastus pavement inscription ('ERASTVS PRO AEDILITATE S P STRAVIT'), found in situ 1929 near the theatre, published by H.J. Cadbury, 'Erastus of Corinth', Journal of Biblical Literature 50 (1931), pp. 42-58.

ArchaeologyThe American School of Classical Studies has excavated the forum, the bema (judgment seat) where Paul stood before Gallio (Acts 18:12–17), the Erastus pavement, and a lintel inscribed 'Synagogue of the Hebrews' — the concrete setting of Paul's eighteen months in the city.

American School of Classical Studies at Athens, 'Corinth' excavation series (from 1896); H. J. Cadbury, 'Erastus of Corinth', Journal of Biblical Literature 50 (1931).