Antioch on the Orontes

(also known as Syrian Antioch)

City's History

Antioch on the Orontes, also called Syrian Antioch, was situated on the eastern side of the Orontes River, in the far southeastern corner of Asia Minor. Three hundred miles (480 km) north of Jerusalem, the Seleucids urged Jews to move to Antioch, their western capital, and granted them full rights as citizens upon doing so. In 64 B.C. Pompey made the city capital over the Roman province of Syria.  By 165 A.D., it was third largest city of the empire.

St. Peter's Church

St. Peter’s Grottos Church is one of more than twenty fourth-century churches uncovered in Antioch. According to tradition, this cave was used for secret meetings of Antiochene Christians avoiding persecution. Tradition says that Peter preached and taught here while he was in the city 47-54 A.D.
 

St. Peter's Church (interior)

Antioch played a large role in the early spread of the Gospel of Christ.  After Stephen was stoned, many disciples fled to Antioch in order to escape persecution and then preached the Gospel to Jews there (Acts 8:1; 11:19). Other disciples soon arrived in Antioch and preached the Gospel to Greeks (11:20-21). Later the church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey (Acts 13).  Paul began and ended his second missionary journey in Antioch, accompanied by Silas (Acts 15:36-41; 18:22). He started his third missionary journey from the city as well (Acts 18:22-23).

Excavations

Today the modern city Antakya sits atop much of ancient Antioch and very little remains of the ancient city. Princeton University and the Sorbonne excavated from 1932 to 1939. Finds include city walls, a hippodrome, portions of a Roman aqueduct, masonry works for flood control, and foundations of what may have been Diocletian’s Palace. Very little remains of ancient Antioch.  This sarcophagus found in the area reminds of the "bulls and garlands" brought to Paul in Lystra (Acts 14:13).

Tainat Temple

A temple and palace compound was excavated at the nearby site of Tell Tainat. These buildings date to about 800 B.C. and are similar to the biblical descriptions of Solomon’s temple and palace. This basalt column base supported a pillar at the front of the temple.

Related Websites

Antioch (Ancient Routes) Detailed description of the site's geography, history, and chronology. Provides some links to satellite photos.

Antioch of Syria (Daily Bible Study) Offers general information about the site's history and biblical significance. Has a helpful map showing Antioch's relation to Palestine.

Antioch (Catholic Encyclopedia) Informative encyclopedia article on the cities of Antioch of Syria (i.e. on Orontes) and Antioch of Pisidia. Gives some insights into the city's history and significance.

Antioch on the Orontes (Ancient Anatolia) A high quality photo of the region.

Antioch (Travel Photos by Galen R. Frysinger) Features some photos taken in the city, including St. Peter's Grotto and the Mosaic Museum.