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Corinth is an ancient city about 48 miles west of Athens on the
narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnese to the mainland
of Greece. Corinth was an important city in ancient Greece and it
played a major role in the missionary work of the Apostle Paul.
Today, Corinth is the second largest city in the Peloponnese with
several sites of interest to pilgrims and tourists. |
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Its commanding position on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow strip of
land that separates the Peloponnese from northern Greece, was the
primary basis of its importance. Corinth controlled the diolkos (Greek
for "haul across"), the 6th-century BC stone-paved roadway that
connected the Saronic Gulf with the Gulf of Corinth. This overland
route was highly valuable in that it allowed passengers and cargo to
avoid the difficult and time-consuming trip around the southern end of
the Peloponnese.
Paul lived in Corinth for 18 months (Acts 18:1-18), working as a
tentmaker and converting as many Jews and pagans as he could. Here he
first became acquainted with Aquila and Priscilla, who became his
fellow-workers. |
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Ancient Corinth
The ruins of ancient Corinth, a short drive from the modern city
of Corinth, are spread around the base of the rock of Acrocorinth,
which forms a natural acropolis for the city. Most of the
surviving buildings are Roman rather than Greek, dating from the
city's prosperous age after Caesar sacked and rebuilt much of the
original Greek city. Much of the city has been toppled by
recurring earthquakes over the centuries. |
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Ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite
On the Acrocorinth itself are ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite, of
which little remains. The Temple of Aphrodite had more than 1,000
sacred prostitutes at one time, exemplifying the ancient city's
reputation for luxury and vice. Also on Acrocorinth are the ruins
of a stone minaret and ancient defensive walls. |
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Ruins of the Temple of Apollo
The most notable ruin of ancient Corinth is the 6th-century BC
Temple of Apollo, built on a hill overlooking the remains of the
Roman marketplace (agora). Seven of the original 38 Doric columns
still stand, and it is one of the oldest stone temples in Greece.
The temple was still functioning in the time of Paul (50s AD) but
was eventually destroyed by earthquakes. |
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Ruins of the Temple of Octavia Part of the foundation and a few pillars remain of the Temple of
Octavia (known to scholars as " Temple E"), dedicated to the
sister of Emperor Augustus (27 BC-14 AD). The temple represents
the imperial cult of Rome, which was spread throughout the empire. |
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