Historical genesis of newtestamental cities in central Anatolia

The main objective of this project is a systematic and critical exploration of the so far fairly unresearched problem of the historical genesis of biblical cities in Central Anatolia. The main object of this research is an ancient historical topography. A review of the existing research clearly shows that no monograph on this topic has been written, which would satisfy the demands of modern historical analysis. Even approximately one hundred years ago Sir W. M. Ramsay emphasized the enormous importance of this undertaking, and his appeal to the scientific community remains still valid. First a comprehensive review of historical analysis will be undertaken. Several different topics related to the chapters will be systematically analyzed. The research-process is therefore inductive. The main foci of the project are especially the ancient cities that we know from the Acta Apostolorum, the letters of St. Paul, the Apocalypse of St. John and the Apocryphs, but the above mentioned cities have not been subject to a thorough archaeological investigation. Chapter II will investigate the role of the Jewish Diaspora at the time of the formation of the earliest Christian communities in Central Anatolia, especially in the connection with the mission of St. Paul. His way was mainly determined by the synagogues in Antiocheia, Ikonion and Lystra. New archaeological evidence shows the important role of ancient Jewry in the cities of innermost Anatolia. The new aspects of the exploration of the Itinerary of St. Paul in innermost Anatolia in chapter III especially concern the so- called "continuity of religion" in Antiocheia Pisidiae as well as the largely unfamiliar historical topography of Ikonion, Lystra and the new location of Derbe. It also forms the contribution to the famous `Zeus pro poleos` of Lystra in Acts 14, 13 as well as his location according to the topographical sites. A topographical sketch-plan of the ancient city of Lystra from 1988 as well as a large number of newly explored Latin and Greek inscriptions form the basis of research. Chapter IV deals with the old question of the addressees of the letters of St. Paul to the Galatians from a new perspective. The interest is particularly valid in the historical topography of Kolossai at Lykos (known after the letter of St. Paul to the Kolossians), an important Phrygian settlement, which was up to now completely ignored in research. A topographical sketch-plan of Kolossai from 1995 and newly investigated inscriptions form the basis of this research. Chapter V is a topographical and epigraphical contribution to the insufficiently explored two apocalyptical communities in the time of Roman Empire: Philadelphia and Thyatheira. The Apocryph Acta Pauli et Theclae gives remarkable topographical statements about the Itinerary of St. Paul in the innermost Anatolia. Chapter VI will contribute the identification of the `Basilike odos` leading to Lystra from the Acta with a definite system of pisidian and lykaonian roads (e.g. a branch of the roman Via Sebaste). The appendices will inform a catalogue of the new inscription in the relevant areas of Central Anatolia, as well as other lists and a supplement with the illustrations, photographs and maps. The new results of this project are not only the knowledge of a specific scientific area (ancient historical topography of the Asia Minor and Anatolia, biblical archaeology of New Testament), but could also contribute essentially to a general Christian-ecumenical world- awareness.

The primary focus of the investigation was the relatively unresearched cities visited by the Apostle Paul in Lykaonia: Lystra, Derbe, Ikonion and surrounding areas. Kolossai was also studied, but still needs to be researched in greater detail. Careful effort was made to avoid repeating work done by other experts on the topic. The research methodology follows the standard schema: ancient sources - literature - prior research - historical genesis - topography - inscriptions - coins - small finds - index and illustrations. Following the methodology of ancient history, all available historical sources of political history, Roman colonisation, province names, borders, roman military strategy and the construction of cities were all taken into consideration. These factors indicate a complex historical genesis to the above mentioned cities. In addition, it was discovered that the differing geographic statements of antic authors took political, but also cultural differences between landscapes and cities of Central Anatolia into account. While the colonies founded by Augustus, Ikonion and Lystra, belonged to Galatia, Ikonium was traditionally a phrygian city. The Derbe of the New Testament was located in Lykaonia Antiochiana. Initially it was a fortress of the tyrant Antipatros, but after a short period the Romans left it to the sphere of influence of Antiochos of Kommagene. These political and cultural differences also become evident in the Acts of the Apostles. According to inscriptions and small finds (including ceramics, tomb sculptures, sarcophagi, building remains and architectural fragments), Lystra experienced extensive colonisation during Roman antiquity and in the Byzantine age. In particular here are sporadic founds of chalkolithic, hettite (city of Lushna), phrygian and seldchuk potteries. In March 2004, the first exact measurings of the hill and the relics were carried out with a laser gauge, compass and GPS (global positioning system). The results reveal an acropolis, city wall and city gate ("pylones" in Acts 14, 13), a Byzantine basilica (30 x 8 m) with apsis, baptistery, narthex and a large parvis (32 x 23m) partly constructed with the remains of an antic temple (probably "Zeus temple" in Acts 14, 13) and Ayasma/Hagiasma-well. East of the settlement hill tombs raiders excavated simple stone sarcophagi as well as Greek and Latin inscriptions. This burial place is most probably a vast imperial necropolis (300 x 400 m). Another necropolis was found near the old cemetery north of Hatunsaray. West of the city hill there is a quarry. Newly found inscriptions (6 Latin and 4 Greek inscriptions from Hatunsaray, 2 Latin and 8 Greek from the surroundings) complement the 51 previously known inscriptions of the Colonia Lystra. Another monumental Greek tombstone which had been stored in the lapidarium of the archaeological museum in Konya has recently been published. Inscriptions give information about nomenclature, religion, social and ethnical structure of the population in Colonia Iulia Felix Gemina Lystra. Expositions on the apocryphal Royal Road based on critical research of the acts of St. Paul as well as on milestone finds of Via Sebaste and traces of ancient roads in the Lystra area, broaden our knowledge of the road system of Lykaonia. In 2004 a round fortress was discovered on hilltop of Kerti Hüyük (Derbe).