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Corinth was a large city which made its fortunes by being a key trading place. It lies near an isthmus which joins Achaia and Attica. Rather than risk travel by sea around the Achaian peninsula, traders would come to Corinth and their goods would be carried across the slender isthmus to ships waiting on the other side. | |
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Along the main streets that ran through the city were shops and temples. Corinth had a rather unsavory reputation in the ancient world, as many cities who lived off the sea trade did. Corinth was known for its flamboyant lifestyle and its temple prostitutes. | |
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Paul came to Corinth and worked to support himself. He also began to preach and teach in this city. In time he gathered a community of disciples together who formed a Church. His famous letters to the Corinthians show that they tended to be head-strong and at times uncooperative. But they seemed to be very interested in matters spiritual. | |
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Paul was not alone in his work at Corinth. Sometime before his arrival, Aquila and Priscilla, Christians who had been ejected from Rome, made their home in Corinth too. All three shared the same trade and worked together to build the Church. Signs of the prosperity of Corinth can be seen everywhere - the bath houses, the number and style of the buildings, and the decorations like this carving of a seaman carved in a stone lintel. | |
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Dominating the remains of the city is the ancient temple to Apollo, built with its familiar Doric-style columns. It was finished about 550 BC. By Paul's time, it had already fallen into disrepair. But its beauty is still apparent to visitors. There are stairs leading from the city area to this tranquil hill top. And one can easily imagine the Apostle strolling up there as he prayed for the inhabitants of the city and growth of the Church he had founded. |
See also Athens
