There were many cities bearing the name Antioch, in antiquity. The name derived from the rulers of the Seleucid Empire, which formed after Alexander's conquests were divided among his 'generals', following his untimely death.
Syrian Antioch was founded by Seleucus 1 Nicator in 300BCE and functioned as the capital city of the Seleucid Empire from 240BCE. It is also known as Antioch on the Orontes, after the river that flowed through and around the city. It became the capital of the Roman province of Syrai in 63BCE.
It is one of two named Antioch mentioned in the bible, the other being Antioch of Pisdia (or Pisidian Antioch, Acts 13:13ff). Interestingly, for a time, Tarsus was known as Antioch on the Cydnus, again for the river flowing through the city.
One of the seven chosen to oversee food distribution in the early Jerusalem church was "Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism". Without any qualifier, this would naturally refer to Syrian Antioch.
This relatively short passage, which makes multiple references to Antioch, reveals, in a somewhat understated way, tracks the growing significance of Syrian Antioch as an early centre of Christianity.
19 - One location, among a number of others, where believers were scattered following the outbreak of persecution.
20 - The earliest reference to the gospel being shared with non-Jews.
22-26a - A focus of deliberate support from Jerusalem and the first report of Paul's (Saul's) ministry as a nascent leader in the church.
26b - The place where believers were first called Christians.
I visited Syrian Antioch in June 2012. Immediately after the fourth officer tour in Greece and Turkey I flew to Antakya to begin a whirlwind visit around the sites of the First Missionary Journey. The story of that journey is told here.
Click here for a Google Earth view of Syrian Antioch.
Facade of the Grotto of St Peter from the city below, (bottom right). Note the rock cut tombs above.
Facade of the Grotto of St Peter.
Modern altar inside the Grotto of St Peter
[This page is under construction.]