Lycia
LocationsGeographical Setting
Lycia was an ancient region and federation in southwestern Anatolia, known for its distinct political structure and Hellenistic architecture.
What is the meaning of Lycia in the Bible?
Lycia was an ancient region forming the southwestern coast of Asia Minor, characterized by rugged terrain and a unique federal political system. It was successively influenced by Persian, Alexander the Great, Seleucid, Ptolemaic, and Roman powers before becoming a formal Roman province.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Lycia provides context for the missionary journeys of Paul, who visited cities such as Patara and Myra, and helps explain the cultural and political landscape of the eastern Mediterranean during the early spread of Christianity.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Lycia in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Lycia clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.