Gallio

GALLIO, Seneca the Philosopher’s brother, was before called Marcus Annæus Novatus; but having been adopted by Lucius Junius Gallio, he took the name of his adoptive father. The Emperor Claudius made him Proconsul of Achaia; and in the year of Jesus Christ 53, in the reign of Nero, he was again Proconsul of this Province. He was a man of a mild, agreeable temper. His brother Seneca dedicated his books of Anger to him. He had his share in the misfortunes of his brothers, when they were out of favour, as well as in their prosperity, when they were well at Court; and Nero at last put him to death, as well as them. The Jews being enraged at St. Paul, for converting many of the Gentiles, dragg’d him to Gallio’s tribunal, who, as Proconsul, resided generally at Corinth. They accused him with teaching men to worship God contrary to the Law. And Paul being upon the point of speaking for himself, Gallio told the Jews, that if the matter in question were a breach of justice, or an action of a criminal nature, he should think himself obliged to hear them with patience; but as the dispute was only concerning their law, he left them to determine their differences as they pleased; for he would not be judge of them: and so ordered them to retire. At the same time, Sosthenes the chief Ruler of the Synagogue was seized on, and beaten before Gallio’s Seat of Justice, without this Governour’s concerning himself at all about it, in the year of Jesus Christ 57, of the Vulgar Æra 54.

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