Pronunciation Guide: am-FIP-oh-lis

Basic Definition

Strong’s G295: Ἀμφίπολις was a prominent ancient Macedonian city situated strategically on the Strymon River. Its name literally means “around the city,” referring to how the river curved around it on three sides, creating a natural fortification. This strategic location made it a crucial stop on the Via Egnatia, the main Roman road connecting the Adriatic Sea to Byzantium.

Etymology and Morphology

• Proper noun
• Compound word from ἀμφί (around) + πόλις (city)
• Used primarily in historical narrative contexts
• Found in geographical references within Acts

Ἀμφίπολις Morphology:

• Ἀμφίπολις (nominative singular) – Amphipolis
• Ἀμφιπόλεως (genitive singular) – of Amphipolis
• Ἀμφιπόλει (dative singular) – in/at Amphipolis
• Ἀμφίπολιν (accusative singular) – to Amphipolis

Origin & History

The city of Amphipolis was founded in 437 BCE by the Athenians as part of their expansion efforts in the region. The historian Thucydides mentions it prominently in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” (4.102), describing its strategic importance and the battle for its control. The name was chosen because the Strymon River flowed around the city on three sides, making it exceptionally defensible.

In Hellenistic times, Amphipolis gained additional significance under Macedonian rule. The city minted its own coins and became a major cultural center. During the Roman period, it served as the capital of Macedonia Prima, one of four administrative districts of the Roman province of Macedonia, highlighting its continued importance in the region.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A major Macedonian city on the Strymon River
• Capital of the first district of Macedonia under Roman rule
• Strategic military and commercial center

Ἀμφίπολις Translation Options:

• “Amphipolis” – Standard transliteration used in most English translations
• “The Encircled City” – Literal translation emphasizing its geographical position
• “Around-City” – Direct translation of the compound elements

Biblical Usage

Amphipolis appears in Acts 17:1 as part of Paul’s second missionary journey. The apostle passed through the city while traveling along the Via Egnatia from Philippi to Thessalonica. The brief mention suggests it was a significant waypoint, though no record exists of Paul establishing a congregation there.

The city’s strategic location on the Via Egnatia made it a natural stopping point for travelers, typically a day’s journey from Philippi. Its position as a Roman administrative center would have provided security and amenities for travelers like Paul and his companions.

• “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis [Ἀμφίπολις] and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews” Acts 17:1

Cultural Insights

Amphipolis held particular significance in the ancient world due to its proximity to gold and silver mines in the Pangaion hills. The city controlled access to these valuable resources, contributing to its wealth and strategic importance. The presence of the Via Egnatia, the major east-west highway of the Roman Empire, made it a crucial intersection of trade routes.

In the first century, the city would have been a bustling metropolis with a diverse population of Romans, Greeks, and Jews. Archaeological discoveries have revealed impressive fortification walls, numerous public buildings, and a gymnasium, indicating a sophisticated urban center that blended Greek culture with Roman administration.

Theological Significance

While Amphipolis appears only briefly in Scripture, its location along Paul’s missionary journey reveals God’s sovereign direction in the spread of the Gospel. The city’s position on the Via Egnatia demonstrates how the Messiah used existing Roman infrastructure to facilitate the rapid spread of His message throughout the Empire.

The brief mention of passing through Amphipolis also highlights the apostolic strategy of targeting major urban centers for evangelism. While Paul didn’t establish a congregation here, the city’s position between Philippi and Thessalonica shows how the Gospel systematically spread across Macedonia, fulfilling the Messiah’s command to be His witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Personal Application

Amphipolis reminds us that God often works through existing structures and systems to accomplish His purposes. Just as Paul utilized the Roman road system to spread the Gospel, we too can leverage modern networks and technologies to share God’s truth. The city’s strategic position encourages us to think carefully about how we can best position ourselves and our resources for maximum Kingdom impact.

Related Words

• πόλις (polis) – city, town; emphasizes civic structure and community See G4172
• Φίλιπποι (Philippoi) – Philippi; another major Macedonian city See G5375
• Θεσσαλονίκη (Thessalonike) – Thessalonica; the next major city on Paul’s journey See G2332
• ὁδός (hodos) – way, road, journey; refers to travel routes like the Via Egnatia See G3598

Did you Know?

• Archaeological excavations have revealed that Amphipolis was home to one of the largest ancient Greek tombs ever discovered, known as the Kasta Tomb, which some scholars associate with important figures from Alexander the Great’s era.
• The lion statue of Amphipolis, a massive 4th century BCE marble monument standing over 5.3 meters tall, was reconstructed and remains one of the most impressive pieces of ancient Macedonian sculpture.
• The city’s strategic importance continued well into the Byzantine period, with Emperor Justinian I reinforcing its fortifications in the 6th century CE as part of his defensive network against barbarian invasions.

Remember This

Amphipolis stands as a testament to God’s providence in using strategic locations and established networks for the advancement of His Kingdom purposes.