Page 151 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Student Textbook

empire eventually fell to Rome. It was ruled by Julius Caesar and then Caesar Augustus until 14 AD.
Augustus reorganized the empire before he died. Philippi, Corinth and other colonies were established
in the Hellenistic world to give a home for former soldiers and maintain a presence in their areas. During
Jesus time Tiberius ruled. During Paul’s ministry in the Greco-Roman world Caligula, then Claudius, and
finally Nero. So the culture was Greek throughout the Roman Empire, but the government was
Roman. 187

Different citizens had different rights. A Roman citizen could expect to be treated differently and could
appeal any local court decision to Caesar. Other citizens’ rights were often tried in local courts. In Jesus
time the Jewish court could convict Jesus, but they needed the Roman authority’s approval to put Him
to death. Paul is beaten, imprisoned, and released in Acts 16. He uses his Roman citizenship to get the
magistrates to escort them out as an official apology (Acts 16:38-39). Greek influence had created many

187 Photos of the emperors below are public domain images taken from Wikipedia Commons.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_emperors#27_BC%E2%80%9368_AD:_Julio-Claudian_dynasty.

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