Interactive map of Paul's first century travels in Roman world

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Project and Technical Implementation

  • Interactive map overlays Paul’s ~20,000km journeys onto a 1st‑century Roman road network (DARE via ArcGIS), with toggle between ancient and modern basemaps and site photos.
  • Built with ArcGIS Online; commenters ask whether ESRI JS SDK or StoryMaps was used.
  • Some users report UI issues: paths briefly visible before basemap loads in Firefox; mobile interaction feels cramped.

Sources, Data, and Accuracy

  • Locations are tied to Acts and the Pauline epistles; verse references already appear on markers, with plans to embed full verse text.
  • Users request explicit citation of all sources, especially for debated locations (e.g., Malta).
  • One commenter suggests adding a speculative final journey to Spain based on later Christian tradition; this is presented as tentative.
  • Disagreement over Acts: some call it fiction derived from epistles/Josephus, others dispute dependence on Josephus and argue for an early, historically closer date.

Travel Logistics and Distances

  • Users are interested in land vs sea mileage, time estimates per leg, and typical modes of travel; OP plans to add distances and approximate durations.
  • Discussion of whether long-distance walking was common; consensus that Paul’s extent of travel was likely rare even with Roman roads.

Paul’s Life, Work, and Funding

  • Multiple comments explain Paul’s trade as a tentmaker/leather worker, and the later metaphorical use of “tentmaking” for self‑supporting missionaries.
  • Others note patronage, hospitality, and travel as a Roman prisoner as additional support mechanisms.
  • Some highlight his Roman citizenship as protection and a way to secure “free rides”; others emphasize it mainly deterred petty persecution.

Historical and Theological Debates

  • Several threads debate Paul’s authority:
    • Some stress his conversion, dual Jewish/Roman status, and early letters as central to Christian theology and history.
    • Others criticize him as a distorter of Jesus’ teachings or note that a large share of Christian dogma rests on his idiosyncratic writings and claimed private revelation.
    • Disputes over which epistles are authentically Pauline and whether his theology shaped the later gospels.

Reception, UX, and Extensions

  • Many praise the project as beautiful, immersive, and historically evocative; some compare to genealogy mapping and board games about Paul’s travels.
  • Repeated suggestions: clearer intro for non‑Christians (“Who is Paul?”), journey filters in the legend, better mobile UX, and richer media (e.g., 360° photos).
  • One user proposes a broader, OSM‑style platform mapping journeys of many historical figures; OP notes similar interest with Silk Road and plans to add other travelers.