LYCIA

LYCIA was a mountainous country in the SW. of Asia Minor, which played very little part in the early history of Christianity. In it were situated many great cities such as Patara (Ac.21.1) and Myra (Ac.27.5, cf 21.1). The former was a celebrated seat of the worship of Apollo, the latter an important harbour, between which and Alexandria there was constant traffic in ancient times. Lycia was ruled by the Persians, and conquered by Alexander the Great. After his death it belonged to the Seleucid Empire, was then taken from Antiochus by the Romans in 188 BC, and given to Rhodes at first, but afterwards freed in 168 BC. It was one of the self-governing states, to which the Romans allegedly sent letters in favour of the Jews among the population in 138-137 BC (1 Mac.15.23); see CARIA, DELOS. Lycia was made a Roman province by Claudius in AD 43 on account of dissensions between its cities, and in AD 74 was formed into a double province along with Pamphylia. [Article: Dictionary of the Bible, J.Hastings, 2nd Ed., T&T.Clark, 1963 - A.So. - E.G.K.]