Mitylene
Mitylene is an ancient city mentioned in the New Testament, located in the region of Asia Minor in modern-day Turkey. Known today as ancient theater at Mitylene. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Mitylene, the chief city of the island of Lesbos in the Aegean Sea, appears once in the New Testament in Acts 20:14. During his third missionary journey, the apostle Paul was returning to Jerusalem and traveling along the coast of Asia Minor. After meeting the Ephesian elders and departing by sea, Paul and his companions sailed from Assos and arrived at Mitylene, where they stopped overnight before continuing their voyage southward past Chios and Samos toward Miletus. Mitylene served as a waypoint on Paul's hurried journey to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost (Acts 20:16). Though no missionary activity is recorded at Mitylene, the city was a renowned center of Greek culture, learning, and poetry, having been the home of the poets Sappho and Alcaeus centuries earlier. The brief mention of Mitylene in Paul's itinerary illustrates the extensive maritime travel network of the Roman Empire that facilitated the spread of the gospel. The apostle's passage through this culturally significant Greek city reflects how the early church's mission intersected with the broader Greco-Roman world.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Mitylene (modern Mytilene) is the capital city of the island of Lesbos in the northeastern Aegean Sea, Greece. The ancient city boasted two harbors, consistent with its role as a maritime stopover in Acts. Significant archaeological remains include the ancient theater, one of the largest in the ancient world with a capacity of approximately 10,000 spectators, which can still be visited today. Remains of Roman aqueducts, a Hellenistic fortress, and residential quarters have also been uncovered. The castle of Mytilene, built on the ancient acropolis, incorporates stones from earlier structures. The modern city of Mytilene, with a population of approximately 30,000, continues to serve as a vibrant port city. Archaeological work has revealed continuous occupation from the Bronze Age through the Byzantine period.
Verse Appearances (1)
Acts
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →