Learn more about Tarsus

Introduction to Tarsus

Tarsus was an ancient city located in the region of Cilicia, in the southeastern part of modern-day Turkey. It is most famously known as the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, one of the most influential figures in the New Testament. Tarsus was a center of learning and culture in the Greco-Roman world, blending Hellenistic, Roman, and Near Eastern influences. It played a strategic and cultural role during the Roman Empire, being an important commercial hub and a city of great educational renown.

Tarsus Pronunciation

“Tarsus” is pronounced as TAR-sus, with the emphasis on the first syllable.

Tarsus in the Bible

Tarsus appears in the New Testament as the birthplace and early home of Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul. While not frequently mentioned in terms of direct events, its significance lies in the role it played in shaping Paul’s identity and educational background.

• Acts 9:11: After Paul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, Ananias is instructed by the Lord to go to “a street called Straight” and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. This mention underscores Tarsus as a means of identifying Paul.
• Acts 21:39: Paul says, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city.” This reveals Paul's pride in his city of origin and indicates Tarsus's prominence in the Roman world.
• Acts 22:3: Paul again states his origin: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city [Jerusalem] under Gamaliel.” This passage highlights both his cultural background and his religious training.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Tarsus

Tarsus was a city of great antiquity, known to have been inhabited long before the Roman period. It became a part of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC and was made a “free city” by Emperor Augustus, meaning it had a level of autonomy and certain privileges. It was famous for its school of philosophy and rhetoric, rivaling those of Athens and Alexandria. The city had a mixed population of Greeks, Jews, and indigenous peoples, contributing to its cosmopolitan nature.

Its strategic location on the Cydnus River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea, made it a commercial center connecting trade routes between Asia Minor and the rest of the Roman world. Tarsus also had religious importance due to its temples and cultic practices, though these were pagan in nature and contrasted with Jewish monotheism.

Related Themes and Meanings to Tarsus

• Paul’s Dual Identity: Tarsus helped shape Paul's identity as a Jew and a Roman citizen. His Roman citizenship, likely inherited due to his family’s status in Tarsus, would later be crucial in his missionary work and legal protections (Acts 22:25-29).
• Cultural Synthesis: Tarsus was a melting pot of Greco-Roman and Semitic cultures, which may have contributed to Paul's broad worldview and ability to speak to both Jewish and Gentile audiences.
• Education and Eloquence: The educational opportunities in Tarsus likely contributed to Paul's intellectual rigor, evident in his letters and theological arguments throughout the New Testament.

Trivia and Interesting Facts about Tarsus

• The city is also historically noted for the dramatic meeting between Cleopatra and Mark Antony in Tarsus, which was a key moment in Roman history.
• Ancient writers such as Strabo and Josephus spoke of Tarsus as a city of high culture and education, which further validates Paul’s erudition.
• Excavations in modern-day Tarsus have uncovered Roman roads and city gates, shedding light on its prominence during Paul’s lifetime.
• Paul never directly preached in Tarsus in the narrative of Acts, but he returned there after his conversion (Acts 9:30), and it is assumed he ministered there during his early years as a Christian.