Modern Names of Biblical Places

Ecbatana: Mentioned in Ezra 6:2, Ecbatana (aka: Agbatana) was probably first occupied by the Assyrians in 1100 BC/BCE.  About 700 BC/BCE, the city was the capital of the Medean Kingdom (“Persians and Medes”) under King Diokes.  The city is the site of the tombs of Esther and Mordecai and is known today as Hamadan, Iran.  The main exports of the city are leather, carpets, and ceramics.

Gerasa: The agricultural city of Jerash, Jordan (48 km north of Amman) is mentoioned in Mark 5:1 and Luke 8:26 as Gerasa.  It was also known as Antioch on the Golden River.  The city was founded in 331 BC/BCE either by Alexander the Great or by his general, Perdiccas, as a retirement city for career soldiers.

Pergamum: Revelation 2:12. The name of Pergamum probably is derived from the Luwian word  “parrai” of the Hittite word “parku.” Both words mean “high.”  The city was founded by Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s generals.  Under the Romans, the city had a population as large as 150,000.  The modern city, with a population of 55,000, is known as Bergama, Turkey and  produces cotton, gold, and carpets.

Neapolis: The seaport of Neapolis (Greek = “new city”) was settled in the 7^th century BC/BCE to exploit nearby silver and gold deposits.  In 168 BC/BCE Neapolis became a Roman city.  The modern name is Kavala, Greece.  The city is mentioned in Acts 16:11.

Puteoli: Acts 28:13 mentions the Roman colony of Puteoli.  The name is derived from the Latin word “putere” (“to stink”), probably because of the strong sulfur smell in the area. The Roman colony was established at the earlier Greek colony of Dicaearchia.  The city produced blown glass, marble, wrought iron, and mosaics and was a port for the Greek grain trade.  The modern name of the city is Pozzuoli, Italy.

Extrabiblical Evidences of Biblical Persons and/or Events: The Mesad Hashavyahu Ostracon

An ostracon is a piece of broken pottery which is used as a writing surface in the same way we would use paper.  The Mesad Hashavyahu Ostracon is a seventh century BC/BCE fragment of a jar which is inscribed with fourteen lines of Hebrew text and contains the earlist known mention of the Sabbath by a non-biblical source.

The Mesad Hasavyahu is the ruins of an ancient fortress built about 630 BC/BCE, during the reign of Josiah, king of Judah.  The ruins are named for the supervisor mentioned in the inscription.  The original name of the fortress is unknown.  The border fortress faced the Philistine city of Ashdod.

The ostracon is currently housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.  It was found in 1960 by the archeologist, Joseph Naveh, during the excavation of the fortress' guard house.

"Let my lord, the governor, hear the word of his servant! Your servant is a reaper. Your servant was in Hazar Asam, and your servant reaped, and finished, and he has stored (the grain) during these days before the Sabbath. When your servant had finished the harvest, and had stored (the grain) during these days, Hoshavyahu came, the son of Shobi, and he seized the garment of your servant, when I had finished my harvest. It (is already now some) days (since) he took the garment of your servant. And all my companions can bear witness for me - they who reaped with me in the heat of the harvest - yes, my companions can bear witness for me. Amen! I am innocent from guilt. And he stole my garment! It is for the governor to give back the garment of his servant. So grant him mercy in that you return the garment of your servant and do not be displeased."

http://cojs.org/cojswiki/Mezad_Hashavyahu_Ostracon,_c._630_BCE

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mesad_Hashavyahu_Ostracon_Replica.JPG

http://www.ericlevy.com/Revel/Kings/Naveh%20-%20Excavations%20at%20Masad%20Hashavyahu.PDF