Tag Archives: Tarsus

Domitian, a hated emperor

One coin at a time is Brett Telford’s blog about coins. He has a marvelous photo of a silver Tetradrachm showing the image of Domitian. It was struck in Tarsus about A.D. 93-95. Please take a look.

Telford says,

The portrait reveals an emperor weary from insecurity and suspicion of conspiracy in the later years of his reign. His gaze bears witness to the demons that incited his paranoia. Domitian’s reign of terror began at around AD 93 and lasted until his death in AD 96… about the same time that this coin was struck.

After an interesting discussion of Ethelbert Stauffer’s theory that the titles of Domitian equal 666, Telford comments on the coincidence that this coin was minted at Tarsus, home of the apostle Paul.

This coin isn’t without its own Biblical reference. Tarsus, the city in which this coin was minted, was the birthplace of the Apostle Paul. Isn’t it ironic then, that a coin of the purported Biblical “Beast” was struck in the very city that brought us the most notable of early Christian missionaries.

Previously I have called attention to my books on Revelation. I failed to mention another brief publication about Domitian. Several years back Arthur M. Ogden and I wrote a series of exchanges. This publication, Did Domitian Persecute Christian? is available free in PDF at BibleWorld.

I have seen various inscriptions on which the name of Domitian has been scratched off. It means that he was a person of damnable memory. Recently on our trip to Jerash in Jordan we saw two inscription discovered when the theater was being restored. Here is a photo of one of them.

The inscription, which dates to the year A.D. 90/91, bears the title of the Emperor Domitian, but his name has been erased. The emperor is said to be the son of “divine (theou) Vespasian.” At the moment I can’t put my hands on it, but I recall that a translation of both inscriptions is included in the Newsletter of the American Schools of Oriental Research, Oct., 1974. Inscriptions like this definitely need to be in a controlled environment rather than outside in the weather.

On our upcoming Steps of Paul and John tour the name of Domitian will be used often.

HT: Georg S. Adamsen, Revelation Resources.

Some favorite travel photos of 2007

In the olden days of 35mm I made about 300 to 400 photos on each trip. Now, with digital photography I make 3000 to 4000. Out of that number I find a few good ones that can be used in various presentations. Pardon me for sharing with you a few of my personal favorites of our foreign tours in 2007.

This photo was made in Tarsus of Cilicia (now in Turkey). This was the hometown of Saul, later the Apostle Paul. Elizabeth and I stopped to smell the roses. I think few of us really take enough time to do that. I don’t remember who made the photo. Maybe Larry or Olen. Leave a comment if you remember.

Ferrell and Elizabeth at Tarsus in Cilicia

One of the highlights of the Ancient Crossroads Tour of Historical and Biblical Sites in Turkey was locating the ancient Roman Road north of Tarsus. I had known of this road for a long time but had been unable to get to it. What a thrill!

Ferrell Jenkins on the Roman Road North of Tarsus.

David Padfield made this photo. David is a great photographer and knowledgeable in photographic equipment and techniques. He also made the photo below. In fact, he has a little story behind it. This was made at Arsameia in the mountains of Eastern Turkey. This was the capital of the Kingdom of Commagene in the first century B.C. Elizabeth made David, Gene, and Leon promise that they would not let me fall off a cliff. David sent her an enlargement of this photo with a note that this was as close as he could get to me.

Ferrell Jenkins at Arsameia. Photo by David Padfield.

On our September trip to Scotland I enjoyed going to the Isle of Iona, site of a medieval monastery. It was an always misty, and often rainy, experience. I am not sure, but think Jim made this photo.

Ferrell and Elizabeth on the Isle of Iona in Scotland.

Those who traveled with us must have their own favorites. Send a comment to tell us about it.

We have been greatly blessed to travel to so many places on earth over the past 40 years, and to be able to share them with others. Thanks for the memories!