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PAMPHYLIA

(Gk. Pamphylía)

A region (lit., the land of “all tribes”) located E of Lycia on the southern coast of Asia Minor and inhabited by people of both native and Greek origin (cf. Herodotus Hist. 7.91; Strabo Geog. 14.4.3). Its large fertile plain on the Gulf of Antalya provided olive oil, fruits, and grains; its mountainous areas were rich in forest of pine and oak. Trade and communication was facilitated through access to the sea and two main roads, which both led north from Perga to the main southern highway. The major Hellenic cities in the plain included Attalia, Perga, Sillyum, Aspendus, and Side, and further inland were Selge and Termessus. Pamphylia was incorporated into the Roman province of Cilicia from 102-44 b.c.e. Subsequently it was included as part of the provinces of Asia and Galatia, respectively; it was finally joined with its neighbor to the west by Vespasian (ca. 69-79 c.e.) to form the province of Lycia-Pamphylia.

Jewish communities lived in Pamphylia from Hellenistic times (cf. 1 Macc. 15:23; Philo Ad Gaium 281), and Jews from Pamphylia were present on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10). During the first missionary journey, Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark landed at Pamphylia, specifically the city of Perga, on the way to Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-14), and they preached in that city on their return before sailing from Attalia (14:24-26). John Mark had left their company after entering Perga, which later led to divisions in travel plans from Syrian Antioch between Barnabas and John Mark, on the one hand, and Paul and Silas, on the other (15:36-41).

Bibliography. D. Magie, Roman Rule in Asia Minor, 2 vols. (1950, repr. New York, 1975); R. Syme, “Galatia and Pamphylia under Augustus,” Klio 27 (1934): 122-48.

Philip A. Harland

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

PAMPHYLIA

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)