Roman empire in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What is the Roman Empire?
RO'MAN EM'PIRE
The empire of Rome arose from the republic, or commonwealth, and succeeded the Macedonian empire, which was founded by Philip and Alexander, in extending its sway over the greater part of the then known world. The references to the Roman dominion in the Bible chiefly allude to the empire in its earlier history, including the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero. The extent and power of the empire during this period were greater than at any earlier, and possibly than at any later, time. It reached to the Atlantic on the west, the Euphrates on the east, the African desert, the Nile cataracts, and the Arabian deserts on the south, the Rhine, the Danube, and the Black Sea on the north. It also conquered Great Britain, leaving Germania on the north and Parthia on the east as semi-independent powers. Gibbon estimates the population of the empire in the reign of the emperor Claudius at 120,000,000. When a country was conquered by Rome it became a subject province, governed by officers appointed by the authorities at Rome. Occasionally, however, the local rulers were left in possession of their territory, subject to the Roman power. Augustus divided the provinces into two classes - 1. Imperial; 2. Senatorial. He retained in his own hand provinces requiring a large military force, giving the more peaceful provinces to the control of the Roman senate. Among the provinces of the imperial class were Gaul, Lusitania, Syria, Phoenicia, Cilicia, Cyprus, and Egypt. Among the senatorial provinces were Africa, Numidia, Asia, Achaia and Epirus, Dalmatia. Macedonia, Sicily, Crete and Cyrene, Bithynia and Pontus, Sardinia and Boeotia. Many changes, however, were made in these provinces at various periods; as, for example, Cyprus and Gallia ceased to be imperial and became senatorial provinces, while Dalmatia ceased to be a senatorial and became an imperial province. These divisions of the country are referred to by the N.T. writers, who speak of the rulers of senatorial provinces as anthirpatoi, or "proconsuls;" the ruler of an imperial province is styled hyemon, or "governor." Cyrenius is called "governor of Syria," Luke 2:2; Pilate, Felix, and Festus are spoken of as "governors" - that is, procurators - of Judaea. Matt 27:2; Acts 23:24; Acts 24:27. Three Roman emperors are named in Scripture, Augustus, Tiberius, and Claudius. Luke 2:1; Dan 3:1; Acts 11:28; Ps 18:2. The emperor Nero is also alluded to as "Augustus" and "Caesar." Acts 25:10-11, 2 Chr 11:21, Acts 25:25-26; Phil 4:22. When Christ was born at Bethlehem, a general peace prevailed throughout the Roman dominions. The changes effected by that power largely contributed toward giving increased facilities for the spread of Christianity. Piracy and robbery had been suppressed, military roads constructed, efficient governments capable of executing the laws instituted, commerce had increased, the Latin language had spread in the West, as the Greek had already done in the East, and the condition of the people in all the civilized countries offered facilities never before known for the spread of a new religion. Under the preaching of the apostles, Christianity was made known in most of the Roman provinces of Asia Minor, in the south-eastern provinces of Europe, and as far west as Rome, and possibly even to Spain. It was likewise proclaimed in Africa, and eastward as far as Babylon. Thus the gospel was preached in apostolic days throughout the entire extent of the Roman empire. See Rome.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'roman empire' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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