[ah KAY yah]-- in Roman times, the name for the whole of Greece, except Thessaly (see Map 7, B-2). The Romans gave the region this name when they captured Corinth and destroyed the Achaian League in 146 B. C. Later it comprised several Grecian cities, including Athens.

The apostle Paul passed through Achaia on his way to Jerusalem . He also appeared before Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, when the Jewish leaders tried to convince him to prosecute Paul for worship contrary to Jewish law . Gallio refused to accept the case and Paul was set free .

(from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)