The Definition of the word Palace

Palace

Used now only of royal dwellings, although originally meaning "simply (as the Latin word palatium, from which it is derived," shows) a building surrounded by a fence or a paling. In the "Authorized Version there are many different words so rendered," "presenting different ideas, such as that of citadel or lofty" fortress or royal residence (Neh. 1:1; Dan. 8:2). It is the name given to the temple fortress (Neh. 2:8) and to the temple itself (1 Chr. 29:1). It denotes also a spacious building or a great "house (Dan. 1:4; 4:4, 29: Esther 1:5; 7:7), and a fortified" place or an enclosure (Ezek. 25:4). Solomon's palace is described in 1 Kings 7:1-12 as a series of buildings rather than a single great structure. Thirteen years were spent in their "erection. This palace stood on the eastern hill, adjoining the" temple on the south. "In the New Testament it designates the official residence of "Pilate or that of the high priest (Matt. 26:3, 58, 69; Mark" "14:54, 66; John 18:15). In Phil. 1:13 this word is the rendering" "of the Greek praitorion, meaning the praetorian cohorts at Rome" (the life-guard of the Caesars). Paul was continually chained to "a soldier of that corps (Acts 28:16), and hence his name and" "sufferings became known in all the praetorium. The "soldiers" "that kept" him would, on relieving one another on guard," naturally spread the tidings regarding him among their comrades. "Some, however, regard the praetroium (q.v.) as the barrack" within the palace (the palatium) of the Caesars in Rome where a "detachment of these praetorian guards was stationed, or as the" camp of the guards placed outside the eastern walls of Rome. "In the chambers which were occupied as guard-rooms, says Dr. "Manning, "by the praetorian troops on duty in the palace, a" number of rude caricatures are found roughly scratched upon the "walls, just such as may be seen upon barrack walls in every part" of the world. Amongst these is one of a human figure nailed upon "a cross. To add to the `offence of the cross,' the crucified one" "is represented with the head of an animal, probably that of an" ass. Before it stands the figure of a Roman legionary with one hand upraised in the attitude of worship. Underneath is the "rude, misspelt, ungrammatical inscription, Alexamenos worships" his god. It can scarcely be doubted that we have here a "contemporary caricature, executed by one of the praetorian" "guard, ridiculing the faith of a Christian comrade."