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Puteoli

Locations
Modern Location Pozzuoli, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy
Coordinates 40.8225, 14.1211

Geographical Setting

Puteoli, known today as Pozzuoli, was an ancient Greek and Roman port city situated on the Bay of Naples in southern Italy.

What is the meaning of Puteoli in the Bible?

Puteoli was a maritime city of Campania, Italy, which occupied a central position on the northern shore of a recess in the Gulf of Naples. It was originally a colony of the neighboring Greek city Cumae and became a major commercial center.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Puteoli clarifies the logistical context of Paul's journey to Rome in Acts 28, as it served as the primary port of entry for eastern Mediterranean goods into Italy, highlighting the extensive trade networks and travel routes that facilitated the spread of early Christianity.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Puteoli (located near modern Pozzuoli, Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania, Italy) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Puteoli in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Puteoli clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Puteoli." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/puteoli/
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