Tarsus, located in modern-day southern Turkey, was a significant city in the Roman province of Cilicia during the early 1st century AD. As the birthplace of Saul (later known as Paul), it played a role in early Christian history.
Geography and Economy:
Situated on the Cydnus River, about 20 kilometers inland from the Mediterranean Sea, Tarsus benefited from its strategic location. The city served as a major trade hub, connecting the Mediterranean with inland Anatolia and Syria.
Political Status:
Tarsus held the privileged status of a “free city” within the Roman Empire, granting it certain autonomy in local governance (Strabo, Geography, 14.5.13). This status likely contributed to its prosperity and cultural significance.
Culture and Education:
The city was renowned as a center of learning, particularly in philosophy. It boasted a famous university that rivaled those in Athens and Alexandria (Jerome, Commentary on Galatians, 1:1). This intellectual environment may have influenced the young Saul’s education.
Population and Diversity:
As a cosmopolitan city, Tarsus had a diverse population including native Cilicians, Greeks, Romans, and a significant Jewish community. This multicultural setting reflected its importance as a commercial and cultural crossroads.
Industry:
Tarsus was known for its production of cilicium, a coarse cloth made from goat hair used for tents and sacks (Pliny the Elder, Natural History, 6.26). This industry may explain Paul’s later occupation as a tent maker.
While specific population figures for this period are not available, archaeological evidence and historical accounts suggest Tarsus was a prosperous and influential city in the eastern Mediterranean during the early Roman Imperial period.