Via Ignatia

These stones here come from the Ignatian Way, a major road that connected various towns throughout the Roman Empire. The size and the evenness of the stones indicates the ability of the Roman Empire to build well, which required technology but also manpower, often in the form of slaves.

How is the Via Ignatia significant for understanding the world of Paul?

The Pax Romana (internal peace during the Roman Empire) allowed for massive amounts of trade and communication to exist between cities great distances apart. If it were not for this Pax Romana and the roads, people like Paul could not have traveled to spread the news about Jesus Christ.

Another sign of the strength of Roman rule comes not just in the road Paul leaves on but how Paul's time in Philippi ends. The reality that he is a citizen means that the magistrates actually apologize to him for having imprisoned him.

When morning came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, "Let those men go." And the jailer reported the message to Paul, saying, "The magistrates sent word to let you go; therefore come out now and go in peace." But Paul replied, "They have beaten us in public, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they going to discharge us in secret? Certainly not! Let them come and take us out themselves." The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens; so they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. After leaving the prison they went to Lydia's home; and when they had seen and encouraged the brothers and sisters there, they departed. (Acts, chapter 16:35-40)