ASIA. A geographical term of uncertain origin, used quite broadly by early Greek writers, and later usually synonymous with the Persian or Seleucid empires. In the Books of the Maccabees we still find this usage. The Romans formed a province called Asia, when they took over the Kingdom of Pergamum in 133BC. The regions of Mysia, Lydia, and Caria were included in it, and western Phrygia was subsequently added. In Ac.2.9-10 Phrygia receives separate mention, and so it seems probable that in this book Asia has the narrower meaning (Ac.16.6f; 19.10, 22, 26f; 20.4, 16, 18; 21.27; 24.18; 27.2). Paul refers to the Roman province of his day when he uses the term (Ro.16.5; 1 Co.16.19; 2 Co.1.8). See also 2 Ti.1.15; 1 P.1.1; Rev.1.4. Asia was one of the richest provinces of the empire and was governed by the Senate's appointees ?a proconsul with three legati. It was much exploited until a new and better era of peaceful development began in the time of Augustus (31 BC). In 24 BC. earthquakes destroyed Laodicea and Thyatira, Chios, and Tralles; in AD 17 twelve cities were similarly destroyed, including Sardis and Philadelphia. A provincial assembly was founded to nurture the new cult of emperor-worship (q.v.). Domitian, demanding worship of himself while yet alive, created a perilous situation for the Christians of Asia. The letters to the seven churches in Rev.1-3 mention leading cities, of which Ephesus, Smyrna and Pergamum were the largest. [Article: Dictionary of the Bible, James Hastings D.D., 2nd Ed., 1963. E.G.K.]