An 1,800-year-old mosaic uncovered in Israel has revealed new insights into early Christian history, including evidence that a Roman centurion supported Christian worship centuries before the religion became legal. The mosaic, discovered during the expansion of the Megiddo prison, features several Greek inscriptions, one of which reads: 'The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial.'
Roman Centurion Named in Mosaic
Another inscription names a Roman centurion, Gaianus, also called Porphyrius, who funded the mosaic. The text states: 'Gaianus, also called Porphyrius, centurion, our brother, has made the mosaic at his own expense as an act of generosity.' Researchers believe Gaianus was an army officer who helped finance or support the worship site, which dates to around 203 AD.
The presence of a Roman centurion among the donors is striking, as it suggests Christianity had spread into the ranks of the Roman military far earlier than many historians once believed. The Roman Empire officially adopted Christianity as its state religion on February 27, 380 AD. Centurions were respected officers who commanded dozens of soldiers, meaning Gaianus held both authority and influence within Roman society.
Challenging Historical Assumptions
Researchers say Gaianus's involvement challenges long-held assumptions that early Christians were primarily poor or marginalized outsiders. Instead, the inscription suggests individuals connected to the Roman establishment were already supporting Christian worship by the early third century. This discovery offers rare physical evidence that belief in Jesus had reached powerful circles within the Roman world decades before Christianity became legal across the empire.
The mosaic was the floor of an early Christian worship hall, often described as one of the earliest known church floors, though it was likely a house-church–style worship space and not a later formal basilica. The floor has been hidden under the prison since it was discovered in 2005 but has now been lent to the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC.
Linguistic and Historical Analysis
Professor Christopher Rollston of George Washington University noted that the phrase 'Gaianus also called Porphyrius' resembles the language used in the New Testament to describe the apostle Paul, who is referred to as 'Saul also called Paul.' This double-name phenomenon was common in the ancient world, particularly among Jewish communities living outside Israel, allowing individuals to maintain their religious identity while functioning within broader political or cultural systems.
Further analysis revealed abbreviated words commonly used in Roman military contexts, including the shortened form of 'centurion.' The name of the artisan who set the mosaic, Brutius, was also included, believed to be another Roman. The prayer hall was likely abandoned and covered up because the Roman Empire's Sixth Legion was transferred to Transjordan, a region east of the Jordan River.
Role of Women in Early Christianity
The mosaic also contains the names of five women, highlighting the important role women played in the early church. Aside from Akeptous, who donated a table to the prayer hall, the inscription says to 'remember Primilla and Cyriaca and Dorothea and lastly, Chreste.' These names suggest women played prominent roles in the early Christian community at a time when female donors were not always publicly recognized.
