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History
During this time of Pompey (67 B.C.), Tarsus was made capital over the
Roman province of Cilicia, and Jews began to receive Roman citizenship.
Antony, who controlled the eastern provinces, declared the city free in 42
B.C. Tarsus continued to receive special privileges under Augustus, who
exempted the city from imperial taxation because Athenodorus, his teacher
and friend, was a Tarsian. Tarsus grew into a cultural and intellectual
center. Stoic philosophers like Athenodorus, Zeno, Antipater, and Nestor
lived in the city in the first century A.D. |
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Cleopatra's Gate
The Tarsus gate of Cleopatra, also
called the “Sea Gate,” still stands today, though it has been
significantly restored. It was believed that Cleopatra sailed up the
Cydnus disguised as Aphrodite and came through this gate in 41 B.C. on
her way to meet Mark Antony. |
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Roman Temple
V. Longlois, a traveler during the
Middle Ages, identified this structure as the tomb of Sardanapalus, an
Assyrian who was killed during the siege of Nineveh ca. 612 B.C. Located
in Tekke, east of the medieval wall in Tarsus, this is actually a Roman
temple dating to the second century A.D.
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Well of St. Paul
Tarsus was the hometown of the
apostle Paul (Acts 9:11), a city of great importance (21:39) as a
learning center of the ancient world, alongside Alexandria and Athens.
Notably, Jewish citizens of Tarsus were granted Roman citizenship. As a
child, Paul was raised in Jerusalem and properly educated under the
tutelage of Gamaliel, a member of the Sanhedrin. Paul’s trade,
tentmaking, fits well with Tarsus, a city well-known for making a
certain type of felt cloth from the wool of shaggy black goats. Legend
says that St. Paul often drank from this well, said to have special
curative properties. |
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Related Websites |
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Tarsus (Daily Bible Study) Briefly describes the first century city of
Tarsus and quotes the five biblical references to it.
Tarsus (LoveToKnow) Lengthy encyclopedia article about the city.
Provides information about its history, its geography, and the
extra-biblical references to it.
Tarsus (Ancient Routes) Discusses the city's geography, history, and
archaeological remains. Also offers a chronology chart and links to
satellite photos.
Images of Tarsus, Turkey (University of Michigan) A series of old
photographs taken during the Near East Expedition of Francis W. Kelsey in
1920. Includes a photo of Cleopatra's Gate (apparently called St. Paul's
Gate at the time) and the Roman temple.
Tarsus (Catholic Encyclopedia) Encyclopedia article on Tarsus from a
Catholic perspective.
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