The Lion Of Amphipolis

by David Padfield

 

After preaching the gospel in Philippi, Paul passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia on his way to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1). Amphipolis was one of the most important cities of Macedonia in antiquity—it was the capitol of one of the four republics into which the Romans divided Macedonia in order to break up her political unity.

The Via Engatia, a major Roman roadway, ran through the city, and is one of the reasons the city remained important during the time for the early church. The remains of four early basilicas have been discovered and make it clear that Amphipolis was a notable religious center.

The "Lion of Amphipolis" has been dated from the fourth century B.C. It stands on a restored pedestal on the very spot where it's broken and scattered pieces were found. It was either a funerary monument or a monument erected to commemorate some as yet unidentified military victory before the days of Paul.