Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
, a military settlement of Roman soldiers and citizens, planted there to keep in subjection a newly-conquered district. A colony was Rome in miniature, under Roman municipal law, but governed by military officers (praetors and lictors), not by proconsuls. , the privileges of Italian citizens.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
a designation of Philippi, in (Acts 16:12) After the battle of Actium, Augustus assigned to his veterans those parts of Italy which had espoused the cause of Antony, and transported many of the expelled inhabitants to Philippi, Dyrrhachium and other cities. ” At first the colonists were all Roman citizens, and entitled to vote at Rome.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
COL'ONY . Acts 16:12. A city or province planted or occupied by Roman citizens, as Philippi. Roman laws and manners naturally prevailed, but the colony had an independent internal government. The colonists were in the beginning all Roman citizens, and therefore entitled to vote at Rome.