ChristianAnswers.Net WebBible Encyclopedia The most celebrated
city in the world at the time of Christ. It is said to have been
founded B.C. 753. When the New Testament was written, Rome was
enriched and adorned with the spoils of the world, and contained
a population estimated at 1,200,000, of which the half were
slaves, and including representatives of nearly every nation
then known. It was distinguished for its wealth and luxury and
profligacy. The empire of which it was the capital had then
reached its greatest prosperity. On the day of Pentecost there
were in Jerusalem “strangers from Rome,” who doubtless carried
with them back to Rome tidings of that great day, and were
instrumental in founding the church there. Paul was brought to
this city a prisoner, where he remained for two years (Acts
28:30-31) “in his own hired house.” While here, Paul wrote his
epistles to the Philippians, to the Ephesians, to the
Colossians, to Philemon, and probably also to the Hebrews. He
had during these years for companions