Atlas from Space: Satellite View of Arch of Galerius in Thessalonica (modern Thessaloniki)

Thessalonica is familiar to Bible students as host city to one of the churches founded by the Apostle Paul (Acts 17) and recipient of two of his epistles (First and Second Thessalonians). The remains uncovered so far especially focus on reign of the Emperor Galerius (260-311 CE), the emperor shortly before Constantine the Great. Galerius lived in Thessalonica at the time he became emperor and ordered a persecution against the Christian community of the city. One of the martyrs of that persecution was Demetrius, later honored as patron saint of the city.

The Arch of Galerius is a triumphal arch that once served as the western gate of the city through which ran the famous Via Egnatia, a main trade route across Macedonia (still called Egnatia Road). It was built in 304 CE to celebrate the emperor's victories over the Persians seven years earlier. Two additional spans of the arch extending across the road have not survived. Reliefs on the arch depict Diocletian, Galerius, and Caesar celebrating Caesar's triumphs; Galerius addressing his troops; prisoners begging for mercy; Galerius riding in his chariot; Galerius fighting on horseback; and various battle scenes.

Want to go deeper?

The following are recommended to help you look deeper into the history and archaeology of Thessalonica.

Recommended for purchase:

Claude E. Fant & Mitchell G. Reddish – A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey (Oxford, 2003), 132-140. – Nearly two-thirds of the New Testament, including all the letters of Paul, most of Acts, and the Book of Revelation, are set in either Turkey or Greece. This book serves as a historical, biblical, and archaeological guide to most of these biblical sites. View excerpt

Ben Witherington – 1 & 2 Thessalonians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (Eerdmans, 2006) – In this first full-scale socio-rhetorical commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Ben Witherington gleans fresh insight from reading Paul's text in the light of rhetorical concerns and patterns, early Jewish theology, and the first-century historical situation in Macedonia. Witherington's distinctive socio-rhetorical approach helps unearth insights that would otherwise remain hidden using only form criticism, epistolary categories, and traditional criticism. Witherington details Thessalonica's place as the "metropolis" of Macedonia, and he carefully unpacks the social situation of Paul and his recipients. Scholars will appreciate the careful analysis and rhetorical insights contained here, while Witherington's clear prose and sensitivity to Paul's ideas make this work ideal for all who desire a useful, readable commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians.

Online resources:

"Arch and Tomb of Galerius" – Wikipedia article. – Features extreme close-ups of some of the reliefs.

Thessaloniki360: Virtual City Guide. – Features many 360° photos of the significant landmarks of Thessaloniki.

Hans (J.J.) Wildschut – Photo: Arch of Galerius

Denis Dobrotin – Photo: Reliefs inside the Arch of Galerius.

Hervé – Photo: Close-up of Reliefs.

Nikolaos Frestis – Photo: Even closer up of Reliefs.