Lycia
Lycia is a region mentioned in the New Testament, located in the region of Asia Minor in modern-day Turkey. It appears across 1 verse in Scripture.
Biblical History
Lycia appears once in the New Testament, in Acts 27:5, during Paul's voyage to Rome as a prisoner. After sailing across the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, the ship arrived at Myra, a city of Lycia, where the centurion Julius found an Alexandrian grain ship bound for Italy and transferred Paul and his companions aboard. This seemingly minor geographical reference carries significance within Luke's detailed account of Paul's journey to Rome, demonstrating the intricate network of maritime trade routes that connected the eastern Mediterranean. Myra served as a major transshipment point for the Egyptian grain fleet that supplied Rome, explaining why a large Alexandrian vessel was available there. The mention of Lycia places Paul's journey within the broader context of Roman imperial commerce and infrastructure. Luke's precise geographical details throughout Acts 27 have been repeatedly confirmed by scholars of ancient navigation, lending historical credibility to the narrative and underscoring the providential nature of Paul's journey to bear witness before Caesar.
Archaeological & Historical Notes
Lycia occupied the mountainous peninsula in southwestern Asia Minor, corresponding to the modern Antalya and Mugla provinces of Turkey. The region is renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved ancient cities, including Myra (modern Demre), Patara, Xanthos, and Letoon. At Myra, impressive rock-cut Lycian tombs and a large Roman theater survive. Excavations at Patara, the chief port of Lycia, have uncovered a monumental lighthouse, harbor installations, and a granary bearing an inscription of Emperor Hadrian. The Lycian League, one of the ancient world's earliest representative democratic federations, was admired by the American founding fathers. UNESCO World Heritage sites at Xanthos and Letoon preserve remarkable Lycian inscriptions that helped scholars decipher the Lycian language.
Verse Appearances (1)
Acts
Sources: ISBE Encyclopedia · OpenBible Geocoding (CC BY) · Pleiades Gazetteer View all →