"Politarches" and the Vardar Gate inscription

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  • TRAVOLTA
    Member
    • Nov 2009
    • 504

    "Politarches" and the Vardar Gate inscription

    "Politarches" and the Vardar Gate inscription
    Posted by bethyada at 13:00
    Luke is considered by many a pre-eminent historian. His books The Gospel according to Luke and The Acts of the Apostles are written in excellent Greek, and his research and documentation are careful. Anti-biblical bias by some people has led to many claims over the years of several Lukan error. Frequently this unjustified in that many accusations are related to lack of corroborating evidence—as if the sparse extant contemporary records are evidence against what Luke records. An author should not be considered errant solely on the evidence that no other author records the same event. Error is shown by internal and external contradiction, and external contradiction still requires weighting one author more heavily than another.

    In Acts Luke mentions Jason being hauled before the city officials

    But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. (Acts 17:5-9)
    The word translated city authorities is politarches (πολιτάρχη). It occurs here twice but nowhere else in extant Greek literature (though apparently a similar term poli(t)archos may be known from classical Greek?). This led earlier critics to claim Luke was in error.

    The word is a compound word constructed from polis (city) and arche (ruler). Even if this was a Lukan neologism it is hardly an error. Even so, an archaeological discovery in the 19th century revealed that politarches was an official title: a stone inscription on the Vardar Gate/ Arch in Thessolonica. This arch was near the Vardar River and spanned the famed Egnatian Way. It reads


    ∙ΠΟΛΕΙΤΑΡΧΟΥΝΤΩΝ ∙ΣΩΣΙΠΑΤΡΟΥ ·ΤΟΥ ·ΚΛΕΟΠΑΤΡΑΣ ·ΚΑΙ ∙ΛΟΥΚΙΟΥ ·ΠΟΝΤΙΟΥ ·ΣΕΚΟΥΝΔΟΥ ·ΥΙΟΥ ·ΑΥΛΟΥ ∙ΑΟΥΙΟΥ ·ΣΑ ∙ΒΕΙΝΟΥ ·ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ·ΤΟΥ ·ΦΑΥΣΤΟΥ ·ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ·ΤΟΥ ·ΝΕΙΚ ∙ΟΠΟΛΕΩΣ ·ΖΩΙΛΟΥ ·ΤΟΥ ·ΠΑΡΜΕΝΙΩΝΟΣ ·ΤΟΥ ·ΚΑΙ ·ΜΕΝΙΣΚΟΥ ∙ΓΑΙΟΥ ·ΑΓΙΛΛΗΙΟΥ ·ΠΟΤΕΙΤΟΥ ·ΤΑΜΙΟΥ ·ΤΗΣ ·ΠΟΛΕΩΣ ·ΤΑΥΡΟ ∙Υ ·ΤΟΥ ·ΑΜΜΙΑΣ ·ΤΟΥ ·ΚΑΙ ·ΡΗΓΛΟΥ ·ΓΥΜΝΑΣΙΑΡΧΟΥΝΤΟΣ ·ΤΑΥ ∙ΡΟΥ ·ΤΟΥ ·ΤΑΥΡΟΥ ·ΤΟΥ ·ΚΑΙ ·ΡΗΓΛΟΥ


    The first word poleitarchountōn is a variant of politarches showing that this is not a Lukan neologism and that Luke was using an official term, much as he does elsewhere in his books. Other inscriptions containing this word have subsequently been found.

    I have minimal concern about authors using neologisms and do not consider them errant. Nevertheless it is important to note that critics of Luke made something of this and they were shown to be incorrect while Luke was vindicated. Though this example may not currently be used against Luke, the fact that historical critics of Luke were proven wrong needs to be remembered when dealing with modern critics of Luke.
    Luke is considered by many a pre-eminent historian. His books The Gospel according to Luke and The Acts of the Apostles are written in exc...


    Vardar Gate in SOLUN....Macedonian inscriptions not greek...
    η ( χρυσή) πύλη του βαρδάρη - Download as a PDF or view online for free

    η ( χρυσή) πύλη του βαρδάρη-the (Golden) Gate Vardar
  • TRAVOLTA
    Member
    • Nov 2009
    • 504

    #2
    Background

    Thessalonica was located at the intersection of two major Roman roads, one leading from Italy eastward (Ignatia Way) and the other from the Danube to the Aegean. Thessalonica’s location and use as a port made it a prominent city. In 168 B.C. it became the capital of the second district of Macedonia and later it was made the capital and major port of the whole Roman province of Macedonia (146 B.C.). In 42 B.C., after the battle at Philippi, Thessalonica was made a free city.



    Thessalonica






    Historical Background

    Thessalonica was located at the intersection of two major Roman roads, one leading from Italy eastward (Ignatia Way) and the other from the Danube to the Aegean. Thessalonica’s location and use as a port made it a prominent city. In 168 B.C. it became the capital of the second district of Macedonia and later it was made the capital and major port of the whole Roman province of Macedonia (146 B.C.). In 42 B.C., after the battle at Philippi, Thessalonica was made a free city.




    Excavations

    Very little has been uncovered at ancient Thessalonica because Thessaloniki sits atop the remains. The area pictured above and at right was formerly a bus station; when it was moved in 1962, this 1st or 2nd century A.D. forum was revealed. Excavators found a bathhouse and mint dating to the 1st century A.D. below pavement surrounding an odeum. An inscription (30 B.C. to 143 A.D.) from the Vardar gate bears the word politarches, the word Luke used in reference to the officials of the city before whom Jason was brought by the mob (Acts 17:6). The word does not appear in any other Greek literature but does match the archaeology of the site.

    Biblical Significance

    Paul (with Silas and Timothy) came to Thessalonica from Philippi on his second missionary journey, stopping in Amphipolis and Apollonia before arriving here (Acts 17). He preached in the city’s synagogue, the chief synagogue of the region, for at least three weeks. His ministry was strong, and he established a Jewish-Gentile church, although it was more heavily Gentile (1 Thes. 1:9). When Paul faced great persecution at the hands of the mob, he fled to Berea, but Thessalonians eventually forced him to leave there also (Acts 17:13-14).

    Comment

    • TRAVOLTA
      Member
      • Nov 2009
      • 504

      #3

      Democracy Square (Vardari) (Thessaloniki)

      Comment

      • rosetta
        Banned
        • May 2011
        • 68

        #4
        Originally posted by TRAVOLTA View Post
        Vardar Gate in SOLUN....Macedonian inscriptions not greek...
        η ( χρυσή) πύλη του βαρδάρη - Download as a PDF or view online for free

        η ( χρυσή) πύλη του βαρδάρη-the (Golden) Gate Vardar
        What do you mean? What does it say? Something different from what I read?
        Actually the name of the Gate was Gate of Axios or Golden Gate. Axios or Naxios was Vardar river, but the name Vardar appeared much later, in the Middle Ages, after the Mayar(?) tribe of Vardarians (Vardarii or Vardariotes in Greek) that settled there.
        The Eastern Gate of the city was called Cassandriotice (i.e. Gate of Cassander)

        Originally posted by TRAVOLTA View Post
        Background
        Very little has been uncovered at ancient Thessalonica because Thessaloniki sits atop the remains.
        That’s not true. In the last 4-5 years the works for the underground metro have revealed real archaeological treasures (a total of 4000 objects at the moment). The findings are also used in the ad posters of the metro, as an argument for all those who argued against this project.

        Last edited by rosetta; 06-15-2011, 03:16 PM.

        Comment

        • George S.
          Senior Member
          • Aug 2009
          • 10116

          #5
          What the inscriptions on the vardar gate in solun are not greek but are in macedonian.
          Well rozetta why don't you show us some pictures of the 5000 odd artifacts they found or is the drawing above all you have??
          "Ido not want an uprising of people that would leave me at the first failure, I want revolution with citizens able to bear all the temptations to a prolonged struggle, what, because of the fierce political conditions, will be our guide or cattle to the slaughterhouse"
          GOTSE DELCEV

          Comment

          • rosetta
            Banned
            • May 2011
            • 68

            #6
            Originally posted by George S. View Post
            What the inscriptions on the vardar gate in solun are not greek but are in macedonian.
            I mean what’s the point of this phrase “Vardar Gate in SOLUN....Macedonian inscriptions not greek...” above a link that produces this picture?



            Originally posted by George S. View Post
            Well rozetta why don't you show us some pictures of the 5000 odd artifacts they found or is the drawing above all you have??
            It’s not a drawing; it’s a photo-collage. Here’s a few pictures.





            Also check these links. The images would not be uploaded.

            Unlimited space to host images, easy to use image uploader, albums, photo hosting, sharing, dynamic image resizing on web and mobile.


            Unlimited space to host images, easy to use image uploader, albums, photo hosting, sharing, dynamic image resizing on web and mobile.














            Last edited by rosetta; 06-16-2011, 04:00 AM.

            Comment

            • Bill77
              Senior Member
              • Oct 2009
              • 4545

              #7
              Originally posted by rosetta View Post

              Well this image just proves Only Macedonians lived there and that Macedonians were not Greek.
              http://www.macedoniantruth.org/forum/showthread.php?p=120873#post120873

              Comment

              • Daskalot
                Senior Member
                • Sep 2008
                • 4345

                #8
                Originally posted by rosetta View Post
                I mean what’s the point of this phrase “Vardar Gate in SOLUN....Macedonian inscriptions not greek...” above a link that produces this picture?

                Why do you post this picture Rosetta? What does it say and what is it proof of? Please enlighten us.
                Macedonian Truth Organisation

                Comment

                • rosetta
                  Banned
                  • May 2011
                  • 68

                  #9
                  Bill77,
                  That's a great one-liner.

                  Daskalot,
                  It is Travolta who posted this quote (check his link)
                  Originally posted by TRAVOLTA View Post
                  Vardar Gate in SOLUN....Macedonian inscriptions not greek...
                  η ( χρυσή) πύλη του βαρδάρη - Download as a PDF or view online for free

                  η ( χρυσή) πύλη του βαρδάρη-the (Golden) Gate Vardar
                  Who says I can read it? If it is indeed a "Macedonian inscription not Greek" maybe he should read it and explain what it proves.

                  Comment

                  • Daskalot
                    Senior Member
                    • Sep 2008
                    • 4345

                    #10
                    Originally posted by rosetta View Post
                    Bill77,
                    That's a great one-liner.

                    Daskalot,
                    It is Travolta who posted this quote (check his link)


                    Who says I can read it? If it is indeed a "Macedonian inscription not Greek" maybe he should read it and explain what it proves.
                    I know that he posted it, but you searched the picture on google/wiki and posted it again with this link:
                    Code:
                    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Thessaloniki_Filippou.jpg/250px-Thessaloniki_Filippou.jpg
                    So you have done some work to repost it, please tell us what is says and what it is proof of.

                    I will post it here once more if you might have lost it.
                    Macedonian Truth Organisation

                    Comment

                    • rosetta
                      Banned
                      • May 2011
                      • 68

                      #11
                      It says: ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗΝ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΑΝ, (Thessalonicen Philippou Vasilissan), i.e. To Queen Thessalonice, (Daughter) of Philip
                      It was on the base of a statue (apparently of Thessalonice). It’s probably the most ancient inscription/ reference to Thessalonice. It’s exposed in the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
                      Last edited by rosetta; 06-16-2011, 10:49 AM.

                      Comment

                      • Bill77
                        Senior Member
                        • Oct 2009
                        • 4545

                        #12
                        Originally posted by rosetta View Post
                        Bill77,
                        That's a great one-liner.
                        Well i thought it was obvious. Many (if not all) artifacts depicting a person that is dug out of Greece proper, has a negro presence eg: http://www.macedoniantruth.org/forum...&postcount=236

                        Its fair to say these artifacts represent the type of people inhabited the area of those times. When you look at the finding you posted (assuming it was from Solun) clearly she was a different colour/race than her neighbors.
                        http://www.macedoniantruth.org/forum/showthread.php?p=120873#post120873

                        Comment

                        • Daskalot
                          Senior Member
                          • Sep 2008
                          • 4345

                          #13
                          Good, what you say is true, but one point needs clarification; when you say in reference to Thessalonice you mean the daughter of Filip and not the city correct?
                          Macedonian Truth Organisation

                          Comment

                          • RitaC
                            Junior Member
                            • Dec 2010
                            • 35

                            #14
                            Travolta is a Grk stooge. One of of a few that i suspect troll this forum.

                            He's taken a sentance, translated it using a Grk translater and then claimed that is not Grk.

                            The reason he is doing this should be obvious.

                            Comment

                            • TRAVOLTA
                              Member
                              • Nov 2009
                              • 504

                              #15
                              Originally posted by RitaC View Post
                              Travolta is a Grk stooge. One of of a few that i suspect troll this forum.

                              He's taken a sentance, translated it using a Grk translater and then claimed that is not Grk.

                              The reason he is doing this should be obvious.
                              ˇ"Edinstveno mesto kade mozhish da se silish a da ne jadish kjotek":

                              Comment

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