A Lictor’s Duty: Rome’s Rod-Bearers in Acts 16
The rod-bearing officers of Acts 16 were probably Roman lictors. They guarded magistrates, carried the fasces, and enforced Rome's authority in Philippi.
Philippi’s Forum: Politics, Commerce, and Punishment in Acts 16
Philippi's forum was the public heart of the Roman colony. In Acts 16, it became the setting for accusation, crowd pressure, and th eunlawful punishment of Paul and Silas.
Why Paul and Silas were Beaten without a Trial: Colonial Justice in Acts 16
Paul and Silas were publicly beaten and imprisoned before Philippi's magistrates discovered they were Roman citizens. Their mistake reveals how Roman authority, citizenship, and summary punishment worked.
Why Paul Refused a Quiet Release in Philippi
Philippi's magistrates ordered Paul and Silas released quietly. Paul refused. The public beating of two Roman citizens required more than a prison door opened in private.