Corinth

Corinth from the slopes of Acrocorinth with the Corinthian Gulf in distance, the site of the port of Lechaion

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© University of Waterloo and others 1

Entering Corinth from Lechaion, the port on the Corinthian gulf, with Acrocorinth in background

Cenchreae, harbour of Corinth on the Saronic Gulf, site of a congregation headed by Phoebe (Rom 16:1), and site of Paul’s disembarking for Asia after his stay in Corinth (Acts 18:18)

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© University of Waterloo and others 2

19th century canal cutting through the land bridge connecting the

Peloponnese peninsula with the Greek mainland.

Apollo temple, Corinth 6th C BCE

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© University of Waterloo and others 3

Temple E or the Temple of Octavia was the centre of the imperial cult in Corinth

Emperor Augustus as divine, or at least in priestly garb (Corinth)

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Asclepius (son of Apollo), the god of healing (Epidaurus

museum). The main centre of worship was Epidauros, a major pilgrimage

site with hotels and hospitals. Epidaurus was the head a vast

network of “hospitals” throughout the Greco-Roman world (Corinth, Athens, Pergamum, to name only a few of the

major sites)

Relief of Asclepius in the act of healing (Epidaurus)

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Votive offerings to Asclepius, in thanks for the healing of parts of the body represented (Corinth)

Acrocorinth, where a temple to Aphrodite once stood

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Gallio

Inscription mentioning Seneca (CENEKA), most famous Roman philosopher of Paul’s day, brother to Gallio, the governor in Corinth during Paul’s stay in Corinth (Acts 18). (Corinth)

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“Bema” or tribunal in the agora of Corinth, with Acrocorinth in background, where Paul was brought before the governor Gallio (Acts 18)

Corinth, with view of shops along the agora in the foreground and the 6th C BCE temple of Apollo in background

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© University of Waterloo and others 8

Erastus inscription near theaterErastus pro aedilit[at]e s(ua) p(ecunia) stravit

“Erastus for his aedileship laid (the pavement) at his own expense.”

See reference to Erastus to Erastus and others from Corinth in Romans 16:23

An ancient mirror in the Corinth museumKeep this image in mind when you read 1 Corinthians 13:12

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Grave at Corinth museumAs 1 Corinthians 15 shows, few issues were as problematic for Greeks than

the Jewish notion of resurrection

(syn)agōgē ebr(aiōn) Synagogue of the Hebrews

Lintel indicating presence of synagogue and

decorative menorah from synagogue in Corinth

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© University of Waterloo and others 10