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GALLIO

(Gk. Gallíōn)

Eldest son of Lucius Seneca, father of the philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca. Annaeus Novatus (Gallio) was adopted by the senator Lucius Iunius Gallio and took his name. The banishment of his brother Seneca early in Claudius’s reign (41 c.e.) may have affected Gallio’s career, but soon after Seneca’s return in 49 Claudius appointed Gallio proconsul of Achaia. An inscription found at Delphi, probably dating to the early summer of 52, mentions Gallio. Thus, Gallio probably began as proconsul sometime between 50 and 51 but apparently did not complete his two-year term due to his dislike for the Greek province.

Much of what can be established about Paul’s chronology hinges upon the dating of Gallio’s tenure. Acts 18:12 reports that while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews in Corinth brought a case against Paul before him. Gallio refused to hear the case.

Later, Gallio was named consul under Nero in 58. Tacitus reports that when Seneca was implicated in Nero’s death and forced to commit suicide, Gallio “begged for his own safety” in the senate.

Bibliography. J. Murphy-O’Connor, St. Paul’s Corinth (Collegeville, 1983).

Scott Nash

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

GALLIO

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)