Bible Dictionary
TAVERNS, THREE
Three Taverns was a station on the Appian Way south of Rome. Christians from Rome met Paul there during his journey toward the city.
Definition
Three Taverns was a station on the Appian Road, known in Latin as Tres Tabernae. It stood at the thirty-third milestone from Rome and was a meeting point for traffic, including a road from Antium to Norba.
Biblical Usage
When Paul was being taken toward Rome after arriving at Puteoli, some Christians from Rome went out to meet him. One group came as far as Appii Forum, while another awaited him at Three Taverns.
Historical Background
Three Taverns lay about thirty-three Roman miles from Rome, and six miles beyond it toward Appii Forum was Tripontium, where the Appian Road entered the region of the Pontine marshes. The station was therefore situated along an important route and at a convergence of traffic.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>tav'-ernz: Three Taverns (Latin Tres Tabernae, Greek transliterates treis tabernai; Cicero Ad Att. i.13; ii.12, 13) was a station on the Appian Road at the 33rd milestone (301/3 English miles from Rome), according to the Itineraries of the Roman Empire (Itin. Ant. vii; Tab. Peut.; Geogr. Rav. iv.34), a converging point of traffic at the crossing of a road from Antium to Norba. Tripontium, 6 miles down the Appian Road in the direction of Appii Forum, was reckoned as the point where the highway entered the region of the Pontiac marshes, the most notable natural feature of this part of Italy.</p><p>Parties of the Christian brethren in Rome went out to greet the apostle Paul when news was brought that he had arrived at Puteoli, one group proceeding as far as Appii Forum, while another awaited his coming at Three Taverns (Ac 28:15).</p><p>George H. Allen</p>