Roman Mile Stone

View of a milestone from the Roman Period.  This one is one of many that have been found in the Shephelah (lowlands) of Judah – west of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

The inscription on this stone has been worn away by the weather, but typically they would state the name of the ruling Roman Emperor, sometimes the name of the governor, and also the distances (in Roman Miles) to/from major cities.

This particular milestone was found on the road that ran from Jerusalem southwest to Gaza and from their to Egypt and Africa.  It probably was along this road that the evangelist Phillip met the Ethiopian who was riding in a chariot and returning to his home country after having visited Jerusalem on a religious pilgrimage (Acts 8:26-39).

A Roman mile equals 0.92 mi. [1,480 m.].