Derbe

Derbe was a city in the Roman province of Lycaonia in Asia Minor. It is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, 14:6.

Location

In 1956, on the basis of an inscription, Michael Ballance fixed the site of Derbe at a mound known as Kerti Hüyük, some 22 kilometres (14 mi) north-northeast of Karaman (ancient Laranda) in Turkey. Although subject to controversy, this is considered the most likely site.

History

Antipater of Derbe, a friend of Cicero, was ruler of Derbe, but was killed by Amyntas of Galatia, who added Derbe to his possessions.

In Roman times it struck its own coins, of which a few are extant.

It was successfully evangelized by St. Paul and St. Barnabas, and again visited by St. Paul.

Derbe became a suffragan see of Iconium. It is not mentioned by later Notitiae Episcopatuum. Just four bishops are known, from 381 to 672.

Derbe is included in the Catholic Church's list of titular sees.

References

1. ^ [1]; Geoffrey William Bromiley, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: A-D (1994), p. 924-5.
2. ^ Bastian Van Elderen, Some Archaeological Observations on Paul’s First Missionary Journey, 157-159.
3. ^ Steve Singleton, Derbe Satellite View.
4. ^ Cicero, Ad Familiares, xiii. 73
5. ^ Strabo, XII,i, 4; vi, 3
6. ^ Dio Cassius, XLIX, xxxii)
7. ^ William Ramsay, Cities of St. Paul, 385-404.
8. ^ Acts 14:6-21
9. ^ Acts 16:1
10. ^ "Derbe". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2007-02-17. 
11. ^ Annuario Pontificio 2013 (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, ISBN 978-88-209-9070-1), p. 880