Cruciform
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Post the biblical connection between Rome/"Babylon."
B. Metzger & M. Coogan, eds. The Oxford Guide to People & Places of the Bible (Oxford U. Press, 2001):
"In the New Testament, Babylon became the epitome of wickedness and a symbolic name for Rome" (p. 30).
S. Hahn & C. Mitch, eds. IGNATIUS CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE: NEW TESTAMENT (Ignatius Press, 2010):
"The letter was written from 'Babylon' (1 Pt. 5:13). This is not a literal reference to the city of that name in lower Mesopotamia, but a figurative reference to Rome, the imperial capital of the Mediterranean world. [1] Mark's presence with Peter at the time of writing (5:13) coheres nicely with this interpretation, for Paul seems to indicate that Mark was in Rome at the time of his first imprisonment in the early 60s (Col. 4:10). [2] Additional support comes from Christian writers who identify Peter, along with Paul, as a cofounder of the Roman Church (St. Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3, 3) and as one who spent the latter years of his life there (St. Jerome, On Illustrious Men, 1). [3] Archaeological evidence has likewise given reason to believe that Peter spent his final days in the capital, for it has convincingly established that the apostle was and is buried on Vatican Hill. [4] Finally, there are parallel uses of 'Babylon' as a pseudonym for Rome in Jewish texts written in early Christian times (4 Ezra 3, 1; 2 Baruch 11, 1; Sibylline Oracles 5, 143)" (P. 448).
Gaudium de veritate,
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