How is the ancient city of Antioch significant?

BRY2K

For a number of reasons: Antioch also became an important center for the early Christians. There the Gospel of Matthew was written, and there Peter and Paul converted gentiles. It was in Antioch that followers of Christ were first called "Christians." Also, Alexander the Great is said to have camped on the site of Antioch, and dedicated an altar to Zeus Bottiaeus, which lay in the northwest of the future city. This account is found only in the writings of Libanius, a 4th century AD orator from Antioch, and may be legend intended to enhance Antioch's status. But the story is not unlikely in itself. http://www.neh.gov/news/humanities/2000-07/antioch.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioch Apr 28 08, 8:10 AM

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It was one of the world's largest cities in late Roman/Hellenic times. In 526 AD 250,000 were killed by an earthquake in the city. http://www.brainyhistory.com/events/526/may_29_526_30347.html Apr 28 08, 1:55 PM

author

During the 4th century, Antioch was one of the three most important cities in the eastern Roman empire (along with Alexandria and Constantinople), which led to it being recognized as the seat of one of the five early Christian patriarchates. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioch Apr 28 08, 2:00 PM