Pacatiana
A Late Roman Province
Pacatiana, formally known as Phrygia Prima or Phrygia Pacatiana, was a Roman province created around 295 AD during the administrative reorganization under Emperor Diocletian. When the large province of Asia was broken up into smaller units for more efficient governance, two new provinces were carved from its Phrygian interior: Phrygia Prima (Pacatiana) and Phrygia Secunda (Salutaris).
Laodicea as Its Chief City
The most significant detail about Pacatiana for Bible readers is that its chief city was Laodicea. This is the same Laodicea addressed in the New Testament as one of the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 3:14-22, and the city to which Paul's letter to the Colossians makes reference (Colossians 4:13-16). The subscriptions to 1 Timothy in certain King James Version editions identify Laodicea as "the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana," reflecting the province's later administrative status.
The Biblical Connection to Phrygia
Phrygia, the broader region from which Pacatiana was formed, appears several times in the New Testament. Paul traveled through Phrygia during his second and third missionary journeys (Acts 16:6; 18:23), and people from Phrygia were present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10). The region was home to several churches mentioned in the New Testament, including those at Colossae, Hierapolis, and Laodicea.
These churches were established during the period when the entire region was part of the larger Roman province of Asia. The later division into Pacatiana and Salutaris was an administrative change that did not affect the churches' identity or theological significance.
The Laodicean Church
Laodicea, as the capital of Pacatiana, was a wealthy commercial center known for its banking industry, textile manufacturing (particularly black wool), and a famous medical school that produced a renowned eye salve. These local features are reflected in Jesus's message to the Laodicean church in Revelation 3:17-18, where He counsels the church to buy "gold refined by fire," "white garments," and "eye salve" — pointedly using the city's own commercial strengths as metaphors for spiritual poverty.
The church at Laodicea received the sharpest rebuke of all seven churches: "Because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16). This characterization of spiritual complacency amid material prosperity has made Laodicea one of the most studied churches in Revelation.
Diocletian's Reorganization
The creation of Pacatiana as a separate province was part of Diocletian's sweeping reforms of the Roman Empire. Facing administrative chaos, military threats, and economic crisis, Diocletian divided the empire into smaller provinces to improve governance. The name "Pacatiana" may derive from a Roman governor named Pacatianus or may simply mean "peaceful," reflecting the region's relatively settled character.
Biblical Context
Pacatiana's connection to Scripture comes through its capital, Laodicea, one of the seven churches of Revelation (Revelation 3:14-22) and a city mentioned in Colossians 4:13-16. The broader region of Phrygia appears in Acts 2:10, 16:6, and 18:23 in connection with Paul's missionary travels and the presence of Phrygians at Pentecost.
Theological Significance
Though Pacatiana itself is a post-biblical administrative division, its connection to Laodicea makes it relevant to biblical study. The Laodicean church's struggle with lukewarm faith amid material prosperity remains one of the most challenging messages in Revelation, warning all subsequent generations of believers against spiritual complacency. The region's Christian heritage stretches from apostolic times through the early church councils.
Historical Background
Pacatiana was created around 295 AD when Diocletian reorganized the Roman Empire into smaller administrative units. Phrygia had been part of the Roman province of Asia since 133 BC. Laodicea, the capital of Pacatiana, was destroyed by an earthquake in 60 AD but was rebuilt by its wealthy citizens without imperial aid (a detail that may inform the self-sufficient attitude criticized in Revelation 3:17). Archaeological excavations at Laodicea have uncovered extensive Roman-period remains including a stadium, theaters, baths, and church buildings.