Another Corinthian Erastus Inscription

Abstract

Ever since the Corinthian discovery in 1929 of a mid-first century AD pavement dedicated by a Roman official named Erastus there has been much speculative discussion as to the likelihood of there being a common identity between the Erasti mentioned in the New Testament and the Erastus of the Corinthian pavement. 2 Since the archaeological discovery of the Erastus pavement, it has been agreed amongst those who discuss the problem in relation to the epigraphic evidence that there is just the one inscription, the pavement, and the New Testament evidence which draw attention to an Erastus in Corinth. 3 Erastus Vitellius In addition to the famous pavement, however, a further Corinthian inscription mentioning an Erastus was found in 1960 which has not as yet been brought into discussion of the biblical Erastus. The inscription was originally discovered not far from the northern cemetery of Corinth, in a region locally known as Skoutéla — immediately north of the centre of Corinth and half-way between the plateau and the site of the ancient city itself. This was 1 References throughout giving only author will be to the person's commentary on Romans. For a more detailed discussion of the New Testament and archaeological evidence regarding the question of identity between the Corinthian Erasti see the author's forthcoming Cambridge University PhD thesis discussing secular and Christian leadership in 1 Corinthians 1-6. I am grateful to Drs. D.W.J. Gill, B.W. Winter and Miss J. Reynolds for most helpful discussion on the whole Erastus question. 2 For an extensive bibliography and the most recent discussion of the problems related to a connection between the Erastus of the pavement and that of Romans 16:23, see David W.