Nicopolis
Nicopolis is an ancient city mentioned in the New Testament, located in the region of Greece in modern-day Greece. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Nicopolis appears in the New Testament in Titus 3:12, where the apostle Paul writes to Titus: "When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there." This brief reference reveals several important details about Paul's missionary strategy. The city served as a winter base for the apostle, likely chosen for its strategic position on major trade routes connecting Rome with the eastern Mediterranean. Paul's plan to winter at Nicopolis suggests he intended to use the city as a hub for further evangelistic work in the region of Epirus and western Greece. The letter to Titus itself addresses matters of church organization on Crete, and Paul's summons to Nicopolis indicates the collaborative nature of early Christian leadership. Though the city is mentioned only once, it reflects the practical logistics behind Paul's expansive missionary journeys and the importance of Roman infrastructure in the spread of the gospel throughout the Mediterranean world.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Nicopolis (meaning "city of victory") was founded by the Roman emperor Octavian (Augustus) in 31 BCE to commemorate his decisive naval victory over Antony and Cleopatra at the nearby Battle of Actium. Located on the western coast of Greece in the region of Epirus, the city's extensive ruins remain visible near the modern village of Preveza. Archaeological excavations have uncovered a Roman theater, stadium, gymnasium, aqueduct, and city walls. Early Christian remains include the ruins of several basilicas dating to the 5th-6th centuries CE, including the Basilica of Doumetios with remarkable floor mosaics. A monument commemorating the Battle of Actium has also been partially excavated on the hill above the city.
Verse Appearances (1)
Titus
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →