 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
troops on patrol in the north of the province. Emperor Tiberius furthered the Roman presence by
instituting a considerable building program of theaters and temples. By 19 A.D. the general Germanicus
was centering his expeditions of the East in the city, and eventually died there.
As colonization and trade with the East increased, Antioch grew in both economic vitality and strategic
importance. The Syrians responded wholeheartedly, while life in the Syrian provinces was held by the
legions to be the easiest and most pleasant tour of duty in the Empire. The quality of life in Antioch
demonstrated imperial favor and confidence in the city's future, to the point that an imperial mint was
established there.
Economic wealth, much like that experienced in Alexandria, encouraged migration and education. People
from all over the East came to its gates, causing strife and intellectual achievement to emerge
simultaneously. Greeks, Syrians, Italians, Persians and Jews lived in Antioch, and bitter feuds erupted as
a result. When troubles began in Egypt between the Jews and Greeks c. 40 A.D., similar problems
appeared in Antioch as well. Antioch was unmatched in the Eastern Empire for the quality and quantity
of its schools, philosophers and writers. Various philosophies not only flourished there but also gave
birth to leaders and innovators, including the JURISTS Ulpian and Papinian; Antiochus of Ascalon; the
historian Posidonius of Apamea; St. John Chrysostom; the orator and rhetorician Libanius; and the writer
and orator Pronto of Emesa.
Religiously, Antioch, like Syria, was a mix of ancient Chaldean, Greek, Roman and Semitic creeds. But
within a short time Christianity seriously impacted upon it; possibly prompted by the appearance of St.
Paul, use of the word "Christian" was reported in the city in the 1st century A.D.'s Acts of the Apostles. By
the 4th century, Antioch was ranked with Rome, Constantinople and Alexandria as a seat of one of the four
patriarchs of the Christian Church.
A city so seemingly blessed was also beset with troubles. In 115 A.D., Antioch was virtually destroyed in
one of the worst earthquakes recorded in the ancient world. Emperor Trajan was visiting at the time but
miraculously escaped injury. The historian Dio noted that while many cities suffered, Antioch was the
most damaged.
In 194 A.D., after Emperor Septimius Severus defeated the Antioch-supported Emperor Pescennius
Niger at the battle of Issus, the city was reduced in status, but was eventually reinstated. Emperor
Caracalla based his Parthian campaign of 215 there, and Elegabalus defeated the briefly reigning
Macrinus outside of the city walls.