{
  "id": "dict_002804",
  "term": "Issus",
  "slug": "issus",
  "letter": "I",
  "entry_type": "historical_geographical_entry",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "A historical city in ancient Cilicia, best known for the Battle of Issus (333 BC), where Alexander the Great defeated Darius III.",
  "simple_one_line": "Issus is an ancient Cilician city and battle site, not a biblical doctrine term.",
  "tooltip_text": "Ancient Cilician city famous for Alexander’s victory over Darius III.",
  "aliases": [
    "Issus (Background)"
  ],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Alexander the Great",
    "Darius III",
    "Cilicia",
    "Hellenistic world"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Ancient Near East",
    "Hellenism",
    "Persia",
    "Geography"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Issus is a historical-geographical name rather than a theological term. It is best known from ancient history as the site of a major battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Ancient city in Cilicia; famous as the site of the Battle of Issus.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "1) Historical place-name, not a doctrine term. 2) Located in ancient Cilicia near the eastern Mediterranean. 3) Known chiefly for the decisive battle in 333 BC. 4) Useful as background for the broader Greco-Persian world of biblical history."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Issus is ordinarily a historical-geographical name, especially associated with the ancient city in Cilicia and the Battle of Issus. It is not a standard biblical or theological headword, but it belongs in a Bible dictionary as background historical context rather than as a doctrine entry.",
  "description_academic_full": "Issus is a historical-geographical term rather than a theological concept. In classical history it is best known as the site of the Battle of Issus, where Alexander the Great defeated Darius III. The name may appear in background discussions of the Hellenistic world, but it is not a recognized biblical doctrine, biblical person, or major scriptural word-study entry. As a Bible dictionary item, it fits best as a concise background article on ancient geography and history.",
  "background_biblical_context": "Issus is not a major biblical place-name or theological term, but it may be mentioned in Bible-dictionary context as part of the wider historical world surrounding the Old and New Testaments. Its value is mainly background: it helps readers understand the Greco-Persian setting of later ancient history.",
  "background_historical_context": "Issus was an ancient city in Cilicia and became famous as the site of Alexander the Great’s victory over Darius III in 333 BC. That battle helped shift the balance of power in the ancient Near East and opened the way for the spread of Hellenistic influence.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "For Jewish and biblical studies, Issus is relevant indirectly through the Hellenistic era that followed Alexander’s conquests. It is part of the broader historical setting that eventually affected Judea, Jewish life, and the world of the New Testament.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "No direct biblical occurrences are generally identified."
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Relevant only as historical background to the post-exilic and Hellenistic world",
    "no standard biblical proof texts are normally attached to this entry."
  ],
  "original_language_note": "The name is known from Greek historical geography rather than from a distinct biblical Hebrew theological term.",
  "theological_significance": "Issus has no direct doctrinal significance. Its importance is historical and contextual, helping readers situate events in the wider ancient world that eventually shaped the biblical era.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "As a place-name, Issus illustrates how Bible study can benefit from sound historical geography without turning every ancient site into a doctrinal category. Background knowledge should serve interpretation, not replace the text.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not treat Issus as a biblical doctrine or a symbolic term. Its primary value is historical background, and claims about it should be kept within what ancient history supports.",
  "major_views_note": "There is no major theological debate about Issus itself. The main question is simply how to classify it: as a historical-geographical background entry rather than a theological term.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry should not be used to build doctrine. It may illuminate the historical setting of later biblical history, but Scripture remains the final authority.",
  "practical_significance": "Issus helps readers place biblical history within the wider ancient world and better understand the political and military background of the Hellenistic period.",
  "meta_description": "Issus is an ancient Cilician city best known as the site of Alexander the Great’s victory over Darius III; a historical background entry, not a theological term.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/issus/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/issus.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}