SAMOS

SAMOS was an important island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Ionia. It was a centre of luxury, art, and science. In 84 BC it was united to the province of Asia, and in 17 BC was made a free state by Augustus. This it was when St. Paul touched here (Ac.20.15) on his way home from his third journey. There were many Jewish residents on the island, and it was one of the places addressed by the Romans in favour of the Jews (1 Mac.15.23). [Article: Dictionary of the Bible, J.Hastings, 2nd Ed., T&T.Clark, 1963. - A.So.]