Rome
The capital of the empire, where Paul was taken and where the early church grew.
What the sources say, and how sure we are
- The text says
Paul comes to Rome as a prisoner, lives two years under guard, and receives visitors. He writes to the church there earlier, and 1 Peter’s “Babylon” is usually taken as Rome.Acts 28:14–31; Rom 1:7–15; 1 Pet 5:13
- Outside evidence
Suetonius reports that Claudius expelled Jews from Rome, as in Acts 18:2. Tacitus reports Nero’s punishment of Christians after the fire of AD 64, and the Arch of Titus shows the sack of Jerusalem in AD 70.Suetonius, Claudius 25; Tacitus, Annals 15.44; Arch of Titus
- Debated
Church tradition says Peter and Paul died in Rome under Nero, and claims a tomb of Peter beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. Historians accept that Christians were killed in Rome in AD 64, but debate details of the traditions about the apostles.1 Clement 5