Gortyna
LocationsGeographical Setting
Gortyn was an ancient Minoan and later Greek city-state in south-central Crete, renowned for its extensive legal code inscribed on stone walls.
âš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A prominent city in ancient Crete, Gortyn is referenced in 1 Maccabees 15:23 as a destination for a diplomatic letter from the Roman Senate to the Jewish high priest.
What is the meaning of Gortyna in the Bible?
A prominent city in ancient Crete, Gortyn is referenced in 1 Maccabees 15:23 as a destination for a diplomatic letter from the Roman Senate to the Jewish high priest.
SIGNIFICANCE
The reference situates Gortyn within the network of Hellenistic diplomatic relations, illustrating the extent of Roman political influence and the interconnectedness of Mediterranean powers during the Maccabean period.
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.