SAMOTHRACE

SAMOTHRACE - An island S. of Thrace and NW. of Troas, from which place St. Paul had a straight run to it (Ac.16.11). It was a regular stop for vessels sailing between Syria and the Hellespont (see Ant. xvi. ii. 2 [23]). The town of the same name was on the N. side of the island. Herod gave the people of Samos generous presents (Jos. BJ I. xxi. 11 [425]). The island is mountainous and has a summit nearly a mile above the sea level. Samothrace played little part in Greek history, but was famous as the seat of the mysterious cult of the divinities known as Cabiri (see Herod, ii. 51). [Article: Dictionary of the Bible, J.Hastings, 2nd Ed., T&T.Clark, 1963. - A.So. - E.G.K.]