Liber nominum Locorum ex Actis

Book of Place Names from the Acts. A. Acheldema (Acts 1:19), field of blood, which is still shown today in Aelia on the southern side of Mount Sion; and up to the present, according to the custom of the Jews, it covers ignoble dead with earth in some places and leaves others to rot under the open sky. The region of Asia (Acts 16:6; 19:10), which is called Minor, except for its eastern part, where it extends toward Cappadocia and Syria, is surrounded on all sides by the sea. Its provinces are Phrygia, Pamphylia, Cilicia, Lycaonia, Galatia, and many others, but specifically where the city of Ephesus is located, it is called Asia. The region of Egypt (Acts 7:9) has to the north the Great Sea and the Arabian Gulf, to the east the Red Sea, to the south the Ocean, to the west Libya. Its lower part the Nile, divided to the right and left, defines by its embrace, with the Canopic mouth separating it from Africa and the Pelusiac mouth from Asia, at an interval of one hundred sixty paces. For this reason some have counted Egypt among the islands, since the Nile splits on both sides so as to form the shape of a letter; hence many, because it forms the shape of the Greek letter, have called it by the name Delta. The measurement of Egypt from the unity of the riverbed, where it first divides into branches, to the Canopic mouth is one hundred sixty-six paces, to the Pelusiac mouth two hundred fifty-six.

Region of Arabia (Acts 2:11), between the gulf of the Red Sea which is called Persian and the one which is called Arabian, has many peoples: Moabites, Ammonites, Idumaeans, Saracens, and many others. Arabia is said to be interpreted as sacred, because it is a region producing frankincense, creating fragrances. Hence the Greeks and our people have called it blessed [happy]. Region of the Ethiopians (Acts 8:27), rising from the Indus River, near Egypt between the Nile and the Ocean, and lies in the south, under the very vicinity of the sun; of whom there are three peoples: Egyptians, Hesperians, and Westerners. Antioch (Acts 11:19; 14:18; 15:22), a city of Coele Syria, in which the apostles Barnabas and Paul were ordained. There is also another in the province of Pisidia, in which the same, preaching to the Jews, said: "It was necessary for you to hear the word of God first, but since you have rejected it," etc. (Acts 13:46). Alexandria (Acts 6:9), a city of Egypt, which was once called No, placed as a barrier between Egypt, Africa, and the sea, in which the tomb of the blessed evangelist Mark is venerated to this day.

Azotus (Acts 8:40), a notable town of Palestine, which in Hebrew is called Esdod, and is one of the five cities once of the Philistines. Attalia (Acts 14:24), a maritime city of Pamphylia. Amphipolis (Acts 17), a city also of Macedonia: there is another of the same name in Syria. Apollonia, also a city of Macedonia: and there is another in the province of Africa, which is called Pentapolis. Athens (Acts 17:15; 18:1), a city in Achaia, devoted to the studies of philosophy: which, though one, is customarily always referred to in the plural number; whose port, Piraeus, is described as having once been fortified with a sevenfold wall. Areopagus (Acts 17:19), the court of Athens, which is interpreted as the hill of Mars, because he himself was once consecrated there with two hundred and twelve gods. Assos (Acts 20:13; 27:13), a maritime city of Asia, also called Apollonia. Antipatris (Acts 22:31), a city of Palestine now destroyed, which Herod, king of Judaea, had named after his own father.

Appii Forum (Acts 28:15), the name of a forum of Rome, derived from Appius, once a consul; from whom also the Appian Way is named. Babylon, the metropolis of the kingdom of the Chaldaeans, where the languages of those who were building the tower were divided, from which the surrounding region is also called Babylonia. That this city was most powerful, and situated in the plains in a square, extending from corner to corner of the wall sixteen thousand paces, that is, in total circumference sixty-four thousand, Herodotus reports, as do many others who have written Greek histories. Moreover, the citadel, that is, the Capitolium of that city, is a tower which, built after the flood (Gen. 11:5), is said to measure four thousand paces; after its ruin, only mud-brick walls are said to have remained, and they are reported to have been restored for the sake of capturing the beasts which abound there. Bithynia (Acts 16:7), a province of Asia Minor, which was once called Bibraja, and afterwards Mygdonia. And Greater Phrygia, separated from Galatia by the river Jera, has a city of the same name. Beroea (Acts 17:10), a city in Macedonia, which nobly received the word of the Lord.

Cappadocia (Acts 2:9), a region at the head of Syria, that is, to the north. Cyrene (Acts 2:10), a city in Libya, whose region is also called Pentapolitana, because it shines especially with five cities: Berenice, Arsinoe, Ptolemais, Apollonia, and Cyrene itself. Crete (Acts 27:7), an island of Greece, once notable for a hundred towns, and famous for its wealth, especially in copper: for there was the first discovery and working of this metal, to which is nearest the promontory on the borders of Cilicia, and the town of Venus. Cilicia (Acts 23:34), a province of Asia, which the river Cydnus cuts across, and Mount Amanus, which Solomon mentions (Song of Songs 4), separates it from Coele-Syria. Carrhae (Acts 7), a city of Mesopotamia, famous among the Romans for the disaster of Crassus, among us for the hospitality of the patriarch Abraham and the death of the parent by eating (Genesis 12:1). Region of the Chaldaeans (Acts 7:4), between Babylonia and Arabia, the Tigris and the Euphrates.

Canaan (Acts 9:18), son of Ham, obtained the land from Sidon as far as Gaza, which the Jews afterwards possessed, after the Canaanites were driven out. Caesareas (Acts 8:40) are two cities in the land of promise. One is Caesarea of Palestine, situated on the shore of the Great Sea, which was once called Pyrgos, that is, the tower of Strato; but having been built more nobly and beautifully by Herod, king of Judaea, and much more usefully against the force of the sea, it was named Caesarea in honor of Caesar Augustus, for whom he also constructed a temple of white marble in it; in which city his grandson Herod was struck by an angel (Acts 12:23), the centurion Cornelius was baptized, and the prophet Agabus was bound with Paul’s belt. The other, however, is Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13; Mark 8:27), which the text of the Gospel mentions: at the foot of Mount Lebanon, where the sources of the Jordan are, built by Philip the tetrarch of that same region, and named in honor of Tiberius Caesar. But there is also a third Caesarea, the metropolis of Cappadocia, which Luke mentions thus: “Having set out from Ephesus, and going down to Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church” (Acts 18:22).

Corinth (Acts 18:1; 19:1), a maritime city of Achaia. Cenchreae (Acts 18:18), the port of the city of Corinth. Chios (Acts 20:15), an island opposite Bithynia, whose name in the Syriac language designates mastic, because mastic is produced there. Some have called it Chia from the nymph Chione. Cnidus (Acts 27:7), a very noble island opposite Asia, adjacent to the province of Caria, and there is a town of the same name on the island of Calymna. Damascus (Acts 9:2), a noble city of Phoenicia, which once held primacy in all Syria, and is now said to be the metropolis of the Saracens: whence their king Navvias dedicated a famous basilica in it for himself and his people, while the Christian citizens frequent the church of John the Baptist in the surrounding area. Derbe (Acts 14:6), a city of the province of Lycaonia. Elamites (Acts 2:9), princes of Persia, named from Elam the son of Shem. Ephesus (Acts 18:19; 19:1): a work of the Amazons, a city in Asia where the blessed evangelist John rests.

Phrygia (Acts 18:23), a province of Asia, situated above Troas, bordering Galatia on its northern part, Lycaonia and Pisidia and Macedonia on its southern part, and touching Cappadocia on the east. There are, however, two Phrygias, of which the larger has Smyrna, the smaller has Ilium. Phoenicia (Acts 11:19), a province of Syria, of which Samaria and Galilee are parts, as well as many other regions. There are two Galilees (Acts 13:31). One is Galilee of the Gentiles, near the borders of the Tyrians, in the tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 13:2). The other is around Tiberias and the Lake of Gennesaret, in the tribe of Zebulun. Galatia (Acts 16:6), a province of Asia, taking its name from the Gauls, who, summoned to aid by the king of Bithynia, divided the kingdom with him after the victory was won. And thus, later mixed with the Greeks, they were first called Gallograeci, and afterwards Galatae. Greece (Acts 20:2), a certain province of Achaia, which was called Hellas by Greek writers, in which the city of Athens is located, once called Attica.

Hadrumetus (Acts 27:2), a city in the Bazatio region of Africa. Hadria (Acts 27:27), the name of the sea opposite Ravenna, which is entered through the mouths of the Po River, taking its name from the nearby city of Hadria, which gave its name to the Adriatic Sea. Hierusalem (Acts 2:5; 4:5; 5:16; 21:21), once the metropolis of all Judaea, which was renamed AElia by the Caesar Aelius Hadrianus, because he rebuilt it on a wider site after its destruction by Titus; by his work it came about that the Holy Places, that is, of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection, and also of the Finding of the Holy Cross, once lying outside the city, are now enclosed by the northern wall of that same city. Judaea (Acts 1:8; 2:9; 9:31; 10:37), sometimes the entire land of the twelve tribes is so called; sometimes only two tribes, which were once called Judah, to distinguish it from Galilee and Samaria, and from other regions in the land of promise. And it is to be noted by historians that Judaea (Acts 9:31) belongs to Palaestina, while Galilee and Samaria belong to Phoenice.

Joppe (Acts 9:36), a maritime town of Palestine in the tribe of Dan: where today rocks are shown on the shore, on which Andromeda, once bound, is said to have been freed by the aid of her husband Perseus. Iconium (Acts 13:51; 16:12), a most renowned city of Lycaonia, and there is another in Cilicia. Italy (Acts 27:1), the region and homeland of the Romans, which drew its name from King Italus, which is encircled by the Great Sea from the south and the north, while the rest is blocked by the barriers of the Alps. There are two provinces of Libya: one is Libya Cyrenaica, concerning which it was said: "And part of Libya which is around Cyrene" (Acts 2:10). This is the gateway of Egypt, first in the part of Africa, and gave its name to the Libyan Sea; after which is Libya of the Ethiopians, extending as far as the southern Ocean. Lydda (Acts 9:32), a city of Palestine situated on the shore of the Great Sea, which is called Diospolis. Lycaonia (Acts 14:6), a province of Asia: and there is a city of the same name in Phrygia Minor.

Lystra (Acts 14:6), a city of Lycaonia. Lycia (Acts 27:5), a province of Asia. Lasaea, a maritime city of the island of Crete near a place which is called Good Harbors, as Luke himself explains (Acts 27:8): for which some corruptly read Thalassa (ibid.). Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12) to the east of Jerusalem, with the Cedron brook flowing between, where the last footprints of the Lord impressed upon the earth are shown even to this day (Acts 1). And although the same earth is daily carried away by believers, nevertheless those same holy footprints continually recover their former state. Finally, when the church, in the midst of which they are in a round shape and of most beautiful workmanship, was being built, the very summit, as they relate, on account of the passage of the Lord's body could in no way be covered and vaulted over: but his passage from earth to heaven lies open and uncovered. Medes (Acts 2:9), named from Madai son of Japheth: moreover, these are the regions between the Indus River and the Tigris River, extending from Mount Caucasus to the Red Sea, Arachosia, Parthia, Assyria, Persis, and Media: which Holy Scripture often calls all by the name Media.

Mesopotamia (Acts 2:2), a region between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates, which is shown by the Greek word itself to be situated in the middle of the rivers. From here to the south is Babylonia, then Cedar, and lastly Arabia Eudaemon. Madian (Acts 7:29), a city near the Arnon and Areopolis, of which only ruins are now shown, where Moses was in exile with his father-in-law Jethro (Exodus 2:15). Moesia (Acts 16:7), a province of Asia: now called Aeolis. There is also another of the same name near the river Danube. And there are authors who say that the Mesians, Brygians, and Huns crossed over from Europe, from whom in Asia are called Mysians, Phrygians, and Bithynians. Macedonia (Acts 20:1), the most noble province of the Greeks, and made more noble by the virtues of Alexander the Great. Mitylene (Acts 20:14), an island opposite Asia, which is five hundred and seven thousand paces distant from the nearest continent. Miletus (Acts 20:15), a city on the coast of Asia, separated by ten stadia from the mouth of the river Maeander, where Paul addresses the elders of the Ephesians: there is also a not ignoble island of the same name in the Aegean or Ionian Sea.

Nazareth (Acts 10:38), a small village in Galilee near Mount Tabor, from which our Lord Jesus Christ was called Nazarene; and it has a church in the place where the angel entered to evangelize the blessed Mary, and also another where the Lord was nurtured. Neapolis (Acts 16:11), a city of Caria, which is a province of Asia. Parthi (Acts 2:9), situated between the river Undus, which is to the east, and the river Tigris, which is to the west, as has been said above. Pontus (Acts 2:9), a region of many peoples near the Pontic Sea, which separates Asia and Europe; and because of the very great inflow of the mouths of the Danube, it is known to be fresher than the others. Pamphylia (Acts 2:10), a province of Asia. Paphus (Acts 13:6), a maritime city on the island of Cyprus, once famous for the sacred rites of Venus and the songs of poets, which, having collapsed by frequent earthquake, now shows by the traces of its ruins alone what it once was.

Perge (Acts 13:13), a city of the province of Pamphylia. Philippi (Acts 16:12), a city in the first part of Macedonia. Pisidia (Acts 13:14), a province of Asia. Patara (Acts 21:1), a city of the province of Lycia in Asia. Ptolemais (Acts 21:7), a city in maritime Judaea near Mount Carmel, which was once named after a certain Ptolemy. There is, however, another Ptolemais in the Pentapolis province of Africa, which I mentioned above. Puteoli (Acts 28:13), a colonia city of Campania, also called Ceadicta. Rome (Acts 28), once the mistress of the whole world, so called from the name of its founder Romulus; which, on account of its outstanding virtue, many writers preferred to call simply the City, as if it were the only one. Rhodes (Acts 21), the most noble of the Cyclades islands, and the first from the east, once called Ophiussa, in which there was a city of the same name, famous for its bronze colossus, seventy cubits in height; it is twenty thousand paces distant from the port of Asia.

Rhegium (Acts 28:14), a maritime city of Sicily, separated by twenty miles from the promontory of Pelorus: its Greek name is interpreted as "division," because this part of Sicily, once joined to the Bruttian territory of Italy, was soon torn away by the interposed sea, with a strait of fifteen miles in length, but in width only near the Rhegian column, in which strait is the rock Scylla, and likewise Charybdis, a whirlpool sea, both notorious for their savagery. Samaria (Acts 8:1), a royal city in Israel, situated on the summit of Mount Somer. But also the entire region that was around it once took its name from the city: it lies between Judaea and Galilee. This city was called by Herod, son of Antipater, in honor of Augustus Caesar by the Greek name Sebaste, that is, Augusta. Sichem (Acts 7:16), the city of Jacob, now called Neapolis, near the tomb of Joseph, which took its name from Emor, son of its own king: near which the Lord speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well: where now a church has been built on the side of Mount Garizim.

Sina (Acts 7:30), a mountain in the region of Midian above Arabia in the desert, which is called by another name, Choreb. Whence it is said: "And they made a calf in Choreb" (Psalm 105:19), although Moses wrote that this was done at Sinai. Saronas (Acts 9:35), which is interpreted as "of the plain," is a region of Caesarea in Palestine, extending as far as the town of Joppa. And it is today a place suitable for pasturing flocks; which, according to the quality of the soil, while Peter was preaching, continuously sprouted forth the fruit of faith. But also between Mount Thabor and the Lake of Tiberias, the region is called Saronas. Sidon (Acts 27:3), a notable city of Phoenicia, once the boundary of the Canaanites to the north, situated near the rising of Mount Libanus, and itself a maker of glass. Seleucia (Acts 13:4), a noble city of Syria, situated on the promontory of Syrian Antioch. Salamis (Acts 13:5), a city on the island of Cyprus, now called Constantia, which at the time of the Emperor Trajan the Jews destroyed, having killed all its inhabitants.

Samothracia (Acts 16:11), an island in the Pacasian gulf. Syria (Acts 20), which is called Aram in Hebrew, is a region between the river Euphrates and the Great Sea extending as far as Egypt; it contains the very large provinces of Commagene, Phoenicia, and Palestine, besides the Saracens and Nabataeans, whose peoples are twelve. Samos (Acts 20:3), an island in the Aegean Sea, where earthenware vessels are said to have been first discovered; whence they were called Samian ware. Smyrna, a city of the province of Lycia in Asia, which Luke mentions thus: "And sailing the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Smyrna of Lycia" (Acts 27:5). For which some manuscripts have: "We came to Lystra, which is in Cilicia." Moreover, Jerome in his books on Hebrew names places Smyrna and interprets it as "bitter." Salmon (Acts 27:7), a maritime city of the island of Crete. Syrtes (Acts 27:17), sandy places in the Great Sea, very terrible and fearsome, because they are accustomed to snatch everything to themselves, and those approaching the shallow sea become stuck. These are near the Egyptian sea and are intermingled with it.

Syracuse (Acts 28:12), the metropolis of Sicily, lies below the promontory Pachynus; for Sicily itself is distinguished by three promontories, whence it was once called Trinacria from its triangular shape, and soon after was named Sicily from King Siculus. The first promontory is called Pelorum, and faces north; the city Messana is nearest to it, and opposite from Italy is called the promontory of Genus, at a distance of twelve stadia. The second is called Pachynum, which looks toward the southeast. The third is called Lilybaeum, having a city of the same name, and is directed toward the west. Tarsus (Acts 22:3), a metropolitan city of the province of Cilicia, glorious for the apostle Paul. Tyre (Acts 21:3), the metropolis of Phoenicia in the tribe of Naphtali, about twenty miles from Caesarea Philippi. This was once an island in a very deep sea, separated by seven hundred paces; but it was made continuous with the mainland by Alexander, for the sake of its conquest, by many embankments heaped up in the narrow strait; its greatest renown consists in the shellfish and purple dye.

Troas (Acts 20:5), a maritime city of Asia, also called Antigonia. Thyatira (Acts 16:14), a city of Lydia, which is a province of Asia, once famous for the temple of Aesculapius; a citizen of that city was that Lydia, that is, a seller of purple, who accepted the faith of Christ at Philippi. Thessalonica (Acts 17:1), a city of Macedonia. Theatre (Acts 19:29), a place borrowing its name from a spectacle, because in it the people, standing above and watching, would contemplate the scenic games.