Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 46:2 (NA 1995)
Article: Paul’s Travels Through Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12)
Author: David W. J. Gill

TynBul 46:2 (1995) p. 219

Paul’s Travels Through Cyprus
(Acts 13:4-12)

David W. J. Gill

Summary

The location of an Augustan milestone on the road along the south coast of Cyprus suggests that this is a likely route for Paul and Barnabas on their tour ‘through the whole of the island’. This would have allowed them to have visited some of the key cities of the province.

I. Introduction

Paul and Barnabas arrived at Salamis on Cyprus by sea and proceeded ‘through the whole island as far as Paphos’ (Acts 13:6). On other parts of their travels it seems likely that they took advantage of the network of roads constructed under the authority of Rome. Thus after leaving Cyprus on their way to Pisidian Antioch, Paul used the via Sebaste constructed in 6 BC by Augustus.1 In Macedonia the via Egnatia served as the route from Neapolis westwards.2 The Cyprus journey would have taken the pair of them from the east coast of Cyprus to the

TynBul 46:2 (1995) p. 220

west. This claim may reflect the way that the route used passed through some of the most important cities of the island. However it is first important to understand the development of the province.

The province was acquired in 58 BC,3 although Cyprus had earlier been considered as one of the ‘friends and allies of Rome’.4 Initially it formed an annex to the Roman province of Cilicia,5 and in 48/7 BC the island was returned to the control of Egypt. The death of Cleopatra in 31 BC brought Cyprus back under Roman control. Subsequently, in 22 BC, Augustus made Cyprus one of the senatorial provinces under a proconsul of praetorian status. There were no Roman colonies established on the island.

II. The Roads Of Roman Cyprus

The evidence for a road between Salamis and Paphos is twofold; firstly in the form of the Roman itineraries, and secondly in the form of milestones. The ‘Peutinger Table’ which lists the routes and mileages would suggest two possible routes from Salamis.6 The first cut to the north-west to Chytri, over the Kyrenia Ridge to the north coast. It then followed the coast to Soli, Arsinoe (Marion), and then south to Paphos. The second headed for Citium on the south coast, then westwards to Amathus, Curium and then Paphos. These routes are not contemporary, and are likely to have developed over a ...