Forum of Appius
Forum of Appius is an ancient city mentioned in the New Testament, located in the region of Italy in modern-day Italy. Known today as Forum Appii. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
The Forum of Appius appears in the New Testament in one of Scripture's most warmly human moments. As Paul traveled northward on the Appian Way toward Rome following his arrival in Italy, a delegation of Roman Christians journeyed south to meet him. Acts 28:15 records that believers came as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to greet the apostle, and that when Paul saw them, "he thanked God and took courage." This brief mention reveals the profound personal weight Paul carried as a prisoner being transported to stand trial before Caesar, and the tangible encouragement that the sight of fellow believers provided him. The Forum of Appius (Forum Appii) was a well-known stopping point on the Appian Way approximately 43 miles southeast of Rome, a bustling market town at the northern terminus of the canal that traversed the Pontine Marshes. Travelers could proceed from here by canal boat or continue by road. The Roman Christians' willingness to travel this distance to meet Paul demonstrates the warmth and strength of the early Roman church's bonds, and the scene prefigures the community of welcome Paul would find even under house arrest in Rome.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
The Forum of Appius (Forum Appii) was located along the Via Appia (Appian Way) in the Pontine Plain of central Italy, approximately 65 kilometers southeast of Rome near modern Borgo Faiti. The site served as the northern terminus of the canal that traversed the Pontine Marshes, making it a significant transport and commercial hub. Ancient sources including Horace's Satires describe the Forum Appii as a noisy, crowded market town frequented by boatmen and travelers. Archaeological remains from the Roman period have been identified in the general area, though the ancient town is largely buried beneath later agricultural development. The Appian Way itself remains partially intact and is a UNESCO-recognized archaeological monument.
Verse Appearances (1)
Acts
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- OpenBible.info (n.d.) Bible Geocoding. Available at: https://www.openbible.info/geo/. [CC BY 4.0]
- Bagnall, R. et al. (eds.) (n.d.) Pleiades: A Gazetteer of Past Places. Available at: https://pleiades.stoa.org. [CC BY 3.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]