Via Egnatia

ROMAN ROAD USED IN PAUL'S SECOND JOURNEY

Neapolis to Dyrrachium, Across Northern Greece

"From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[a] of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days." ACTS 16:11-12

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THE ROMAN HIGHWAY CONNECTING TWO SEAS

The Via Egnatia stood as one of Rome's greatest engineering achievements - a massive stone-paved artery that connected the Aegean Sea to the Adriatic, stretching nearly 700 miles across the Balkans. Built in the 2nd century BC under the proconsul Gnaeus Egnatius, this remarkable highway served as the extension of the famous Appian Way, effectively linking Rome to the eastern reaches of its empire. The road began at Constantinople and the Bosporous Strait, headed westward through the harbor of Neapolis, where Paul first set foot in Europe, and continued further through Macedonia, ultimately reaching Dyrrachium on the Adriatic coast. From sea to sea.

The Lion of Amphipolis, one of the most imposing monuments erected along the ancient highway, seen just outside of Amphipolis.

OF ROMAN POWER AND DIVINE PURPOSE

For Paul's missionary journey, the Via Egnatia proved providential. From Neapolis, he would have followed its carefully engineered path through the dramatic Pangaeon mountains, climbing nearly 2,000 feet before descending into the fertile plain of Philippi. The road's construction was impressive - built upon a foundation of packed stones, topped with gravel, and paved with large polygonal stone slabs that fit together like a puzzle. Drainage ditches on either side prevented flooding, while milestones marked each Roman mile, helping travelers gauge their progress. This sophisticated engineering allowed merchants, armies, and missionaries like Paul to travel swiftly and safely across challenging terrain in all seasons.

The Via Egnatia was more than just a road - it was a corridor of commerce, communication, and cultural exchange. Roman soldiers used it to maintain control over the empire's eastern provinces, while merchants transported goods from Asia Minor to Italian markets. For Paul, it served as God's prepared pathway for the gospel's westward expansion. After establishing the church in Philippi, he continued along the Via Egnatia through Amphipolis and Apollonia, finally reaching Thessalonica - a journey of about 100 miles. The road's existence meant Paul could easily follow trade routes, find lodging at established way stations, and connect with the Jewish diaspora communities that had settled in the major cities along its course. In a profound sense, the Via Egnatia embodied the convergence of Roman power and divine purpose. Rome had built this highway to project its military might and facilitate trade, but God would use it as a channel for something far more lasting - the spread of Christianity into Europe. As Paul's sandals struck its stone pavers, he walked a road that would carry not just his footsteps, but his message, far beyond anything its Roman engineers could have imagined.