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LYCAONIA

(Gk. Lykaonía)

In NT times, a southern region of the province of Galatia, N of the Taurus Mountains, E of Phrygia, S of ethnic Galatia, and W of Cappadocia. The area received its name from the Lukka (Lykaones), the Anatolian people who originally lived in the area. Leading Lycaonian cities included Laranda, Lystra, and Derbe, and at various times Iconium was also reckoned as part of Lycaonia.

The first literary mention of Lycaonia appears in Xenophon Anab. 1.2.19 (early 4th century b.c.). The region was conquered by the Persians and later by Alexander the Great (333). The Seleucids ruled the territory until they were defeated by the Romans at Magnesia (188), and Lycaonia passed into the hands of the Attalid kingdom of Pergamum. Pergamum and its territories were bequeathed to Rome in 129, and Lycaonia was subsequently ruled by dynasts. Antony gave Lycaonia to Amyntas, king of Galatia (36 b.c.). When Amyntas died in battle in 25 b.c., Augustus incorporated his kingdom into the Roman province of Galatia. Lycaonia then became a name for the southern region of this province.

Paul visited Lycaonia several times (Acts 13:51; 14:8-20; 16:1-5; 18:23). During the so-called first missionary journey he and Barnabas were received at Lystra as the gods Hermes and Zeus (14:8-18). Timothy was from Lycaonia (16:1-5), as was the lesser-known Gaius (20:4). According to the “South Galatian” theory, Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians was written to the Christian communities of Lycaonia (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1).

Paul Anthony Hartog

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LYCAONIA

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)