Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________ Period: _____________

Calculating Midpoint and Distance Honors Geometry

Map of Paul's Journey to Rome

Around 59 A.D. and 60 A.D., Paul the evangelist was taken as a prisoner from Caeserea to
Rome, making several stops along the way. Even as a prisoner, he continued to evangelize.
This journey is described in the Bible's book of Acts, chapters 26, 27 and 28.

The places that Paul visited during his journey to Rome are listed below in chronological order.
1. Caesarea (1999,0)
In Jerusalem, Paul evangelizes about Jesus. This angers a group of non-believers who
retaliate by starting a riot. Paul is arrested. (Acts 21:17-40; Acts 22.) He is taken to
Caesarea and questioned. (Acts, chapters 23-26.) It is decided that Paul is to be taken
to Rome, as a prisoner. Acts 27:1-2.

2. Sidon (2043, 115)

Paul is taken as a Roman prisoner from Caesarea to Sidon, on his way to Rome. In
Sidon, Paul is permitted to visit friends who reside there. Acts 27:3.

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 3. Myra (1550, 415)
From Sidon, Paul is taken by ship to Myra. There, Paul and other prisoners are taken to
an Alexandrian ship, which is heading for Italy. Acts 27:5.

4. Cnidus (1317, 462)

From Myra, Paul and the other prisoners sail for Cnidus, arriving there after several
days. Acts 27:7.

5. Fair Havens (1083, 267)

From Cnidus, Paul's ship has a slow and difficult journey to Fair Havens. Acts 27:8.

6. Malta (140, 379)

The ship sails from Fair Havens. A violent storm batters the ship. Paul is told by an
angel of God that everyone will survive. After two weeks, the ship is shattered against
the rocks near Malta. Everyone on board makes it to shore, safely. Acts 27:8-44.

7. Syracuse (221, 505)

After three months in Malta (also known as Melita), Paul and the others are taken to
another ship heading to Rome. The ship stops at a handful of ports along the way,
including Syracuse. Acts 28:11-12.

8. Rhegium (253, 620)

After three days in Syracuse, the ship sails for Rhegium, on the way to Rome. Acts
28:12-13.

9. Puteoli (117, 924)

From Rhegium, Paul is taken to Puteoli, where Paul is permitted to visit friends. Acts
28:13-14.

10. Rome (0, 1056)

Paul is taken from Puteoli to Rome. In Rome, he is permitted to live in a rented home,
under the watch of a Roman guard. The book of Acts comes to a close, informing us
that Paul remains in Rome for two years, evangelizing about Jesus Christ. Acts 28:16-
31.

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 Project Questions

Answer the following questions. Be sure to show all work and include units. Your final project
should be neat, legible, and in pencil! You may work alone or with a single partner. No groups
should be larger than 2. In the header of your project include both partners’ names and period.

1. The coordinates for each city that Paul visited are given next to each city name (above).
The units are in kilometers. Calculate the distance between each of the cities to which
Paul travelled. Round your final answer to the nearest whole number.

2. a) Determine how much less Paul would have had to travel if he had gone directly from
Caesarea to Rome. Round your answer to the nearest whole number.
b) Using the conversion 1 mile = 1.61 kilometers, calculate this difference in miles.
Round your answer to the nearest whole number.

3. Which city on Paul’s trip is closest to the midpoint between Caesarea and Rome?
Show calculations and explain your reasoning.

Acknowledgements:

Map and summary information can be found at: http://www.about-jesus.org/paul-journey-to-

rome-map.htm#map. Check it out!

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