Topical Encyclopedia
Patara was an ancient city located on the southwestern coast of Lycia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. It held significant importance in the ancient world due to its strategic position as a major port city on the Mediterranean Sea. Patara is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts, as part of the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys.
Biblical Reference:In the Book of Acts, Patara is mentioned in the context of Paul's third missionary journey.
Acts 21:1-2 states: "After we had torn ourselves away from them, we set sail straight for Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail." This passage highlights Patara as a key transit point for Paul as he traveled from Asia Minor to the region of Phoenicia.
Historical and Geographical Context:Patara was renowned for its harbor, which was one of the best in the region, making it a vital hub for trade and travel. The city was also known for its temple and oracle of Apollo, which attracted visitors from across the ancient world. As a Lycian city, Patara was part of a federation of cities that shared cultural and political ties, and it played a significant role in the region's history.
During the Roman period, Patara became the capital of the Roman province of Lycia and Pamphylia, further enhancing its prominence. The city's infrastructure, including its theater, baths, and lighthouse, reflects its importance and prosperity during this time.
Archaeological Significance:Modern archaeological excavations at Patara have uncovered significant remains that provide insight into its historical and cultural context. These include the well-preserved Roman theater, the ancient city walls, and the remains of the lighthouse, which is considered one of the oldest in the world. The ongoing excavations continue to reveal the rich history of this ancient city.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, Patara's mention in the Book of Acts underscores the expansive reach of the early Christian mission and the interconnectedness of the ancient world. The city's role as a transit point for Paul highlights the strategic nature of his missionary journeys and the spread of the Gospel across diverse regions.
Patara serves as a testament to the historical reality of the events described in the New Testament, providing a tangible link to the early Christian era. The city's inclusion in the biblical narrative reflects the broader context of the Roman Empire, within which the early Church grew and spread its message.
In summary, Patara is a significant biblical and historical site that played a crucial role in the Apostle Paul's travels. Its strategic location and rich history offer valuable insights into the world of the New Testament and the early Christian mission.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Pataratrodden under foot
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Patara(city of Patarus), a Lycian city situated on the southwestern shore of Lycia, not far from the left bank of the river Xanthus. The coast here is very mountainous and bold. Immediately opposite is the island of Rhodes. Patara was practically the seaport of the city of Xanthus, which was ten miles distant. These notices of its position and maritime importance introduce us to the single mention of the place in the Bible -- (Acts 21:1,2)
ATS Bible Dictionary
PataraA maritime city of Lycia in Asia Minor, at the mouth of the river Xanthus, celebrated for an oracle of Apollo, who was supposed to reside here during the six winter months, and the rest of the year at Delos. Paul, in passing from Philippi to Jerusalem, found here a ship for Phoenicia, in which he embarked,Acts 21:1.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A city on the south-west coast of Lycia at which Paul landed on his return from his third missionary journey (
Acts 21:1, 2). Here he found a larger vessel, which was about to sail across the open sea to the coast of Phoenicia. In this vessel he set forth, and reached the city of Tyre in perhaps two or three days.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PATARApat'-a-ra (ta Patara): A coast city of ancient Lycia, from which, according toActs 21:1, Paul took a ship for Phoenicia. Because of its excellent harbor, many of the coast trading ships stopped at Patara, which therefore became an important and wealthy port of entry to the towns of the interior. As early as 440 B.C. autonomous coins were struck there; during the 4th and the 3rd centuries the coinage was interrupted, but was again resumed in 168 B.C. when Patara joined the Lycian league. Ptolemy Philadelphus enlarged the city, and changed its name to Arsinoe in honor of his wife. The city was celebrated not only as a trading center, but especially for its celebrated oracle of Apollo which is said to have spoken only during the six winter months of the year. Among the ruins there is still to be seen a deep pit with circular steps leading to a seat at the bottom; it is supposed that the pit is the place of the oracle. In the history of early Christianity, Patara took but little part, but it was the home of a bishop, and the birthplace of Nicholas, the patron saint of the sailors of the East. Though born at Patara, Nicholas was a bishop and saint of Myra, a neighboring Lycian city, and there he is said to have been buried. Gelemish is the modern name of the ruin. The walls of the ancient city may still be traced, and the foundations of the temple and castle and other public buildings are visible. The most imposing of the ruins is a triumphal arch bearing the inscription: "Patara the Metropolis of the Lycian Nation." Outside the city walls many sarcophagi may be seen, but the harbor, long ago choked by sand, has been converted into a useless swamp. another at grace, in addition to which two other cups have been added, the 4 according to the Mishna (Pecachim x.1) symbolizing the 4 words employed inExodus 6:6, 7 for the delivery of Israel from Egypt. Instead of eating in haste, as in the Egyptian Passover, it is customary to recline or lean at this meal in token of Israel's freedom.
See alsoMYRA.
E. J. Banks
Greek
3959.Patara --Patara, a city of Lycia... 3958, 3959.
Patara. 3960 .
Patara, a city of Lycia. Part of Speech:
Noun, Neuter Transliteration:
Patara Phonetic Spelling: (pat
...Library
Drawing Nearer to the Storm
... we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto
Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence untoPatara: 2. And...
Acts XXI
... to pass, when we had separated from them, and set sail, that we ran with a straight
course and came to Cos; and the next day to Rhodes, and thence toPatara....
Letter ccxviii. To Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium.
... the late monk, the bishop; at Limyra [2856] for Diotimus, and at Myra [2857] for
Tatianus, Polemo, [2858] and Macarius presbyters; atPatara [2859] for Eudemus...
Acts xx. 32
... towards him""and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the
day following unto Rhodes, and from thence untoPatara: and finding a ship...
The Absurdity and Shamefulness of the Images by which the Gods are...
... Nor need you doubt respecting the images of Zeus and Apollo atPatara, in Lycia,
which Phidias executed, as well as the lions that recline with them; and if...
Introductory Notice to Methodius.
... Methodius, who is also called Eubulius, [2488] was, first of all bishop, simultaneously
of Olympus andPatara, in Lycia, as is testified by several ancient...
Of the Expedition against the Persians.
... de defectu oraculorum." The oracle of Apollo at Delos was consulted only in the
summer months, as in the winter the god was supposed to be atPatara: so Virgil...
The Numerous Oracles
... Footnotes: [332] On these, see D??llinger, i. 216, &c., and Milton's Ode on the Nativity,
stanza xix. [333] ie that of Trophonius. [334]Patara. [335] Ammon....
Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
... (f) The farewell words. 4. Miletus to Caesarea and Jerusalem (Acts
21:1-15) by way of Coos, Rhodes,Patara, Tyre, and Caesarea....
Daniel.
... Born at Tyre 223. Died at Rome about 304. [5414] Bishop ofPatara in Lycia,
and afterwards of Tyre. Suffered martyrdom 302 or 303....
Thesaurus
Patara (1 Occurrence)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
PATARA. pat'-a-ra (ta
Patara): A coast city of ancient
Lycia, from which, according to Acts 21:1, Paul took a ship for Phoenicia.
...Lycia (1 Occurrence)
... It was a province of the Roman empire when visited by Paul (Acts 21:1; 27:5). Two
of its towns are mentioned,Patara (21:1, 2) and Myra (27:5). Int....
Pat'ara (1 Occurrence)
Pat'ara.Patara, Pat'ara. Patch . Multi-Version Concordance Pat'ara (1 Occurrence).
Acts... RSV).Patara, Pat'ara. Patch . Reference Bible.
Rhodes (2 Occurrences)
... A rose, an island to the south of the western extremity of Asia Minor, between
Coos andPatara, about 46 miles long and 18 miles broad....
Pasturing (7 Occurrences)
Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:1 When, at last, we had torn ourselves away and had set sail, we ran in
a straight course to Cos; the next day to Rhodes, and from there toPatara....
Launched (5 Occurrences)
... after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course
unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence untoPatara: (KJV...
Lanched (5 Occurrences)
... after we were separated from them, and had lanched, we came with a straight course
to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from thence toPatara: (WBS)....
Gotten (38 Occurrences)
... after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course
unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence untoPatara: (KJV...
Torn (100 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:1 When, at last, we had torn ourselves away and had set sail, we ran in
a straight course to Cos; the next day to Rhodes, and from there toPatara....
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