The city of Tarsus, birthplace of the apostle Paul ( Acts 21:39), was the capital of the Asia Minor province of Cilicia.
Tarsus was well-known for its culture of Greek philosophy and literature, so much so that at one time its schools and number of learned men rivaled those of Athens and Alexandria. Paul referred to Tarsus' perceived importance in the Roman empire when he said he was "born in Tarsus, a citizen of no mean city," ( Acts 21:39).
As a reward for its exertions and sacrifices during the civil wars of Rome, Tarsus was made a free city by Augustus Caesar. Free cities were permitted in the Roman empire to use their own laws, customs, and magistrates, and they were free from being subject to Roman guards. Since Paul was born in a free city, he was entitled to the privileges of a free man and was considered a Roman citizen. Paul used his Roman citizenship to avoid being scourged by a centurion (see Acts 22:25. It was against Roman law to bind and scourge an uncondemned Roman citizen.). He used the rights of Roman citizenship again when he appealed to have the case against him, instigated by the Jews, be heard by Caesar himself ( Acts 25:10-12)
Scriptural References: Acts 21, 22, 25 (KJV Bible)
Sources Used: Adam Clarke's Commentary of the Bible; Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible;
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