Patara
Summary
Patara was an important seaport city of Lycia in southwestern Asia Minor where Paul changed ships on his voyage to Jerusalem, transferring from a coasting vessel to one bound directly for Phoenicia.
☩Location and Importance
Patara was situated on the southwestern shore of Lycia, not far from the river Xanthus, serving as the seaport for the wealthy city of Xanthus ten miles inland. The city lay on the major shipping route between the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean, making it an ideal place for travelers to find passage to Syria, Phoenicia, or Egypt. Because of its excellent harbor, many coast trading ships stopped there, and it became a wealthy port of entry to the interior towns. The fertile Xanthus valley behind it supported a luxurious and cultivated population, with magnificent ruins still visible along the river's course.
☩Paul's Visit
Paul arrived at Patara from Rhodes during his final journey to Jerusalem. At Patara he found a ship bound directly for Phoenicia—a larger vessel capable of crossing the open sea rather than coasting along the shore. This illustrates the typical commercial connections between Lycia and the eastern Mediterranean. Ships traveling westward usually kept closer to shore due to prevailing winds, making for Myra rather than Patara (Acts 27:5); but eastbound vessels from Patara could sail straight across, passing Cyprus on the left. Paul probably stayed only hours before embarking, yet Christianity eventually took root there, and Patara later became a bishopric.
☩History and Ruins
Patara was an ancient city, supposedly founded by Patarus, a son of Apollo. It was celebrated for its temple and oracle of Apollo, who was called 'the Patarean' by Horace—the oracle reportedly speaking only during winter months. Ptolemy Philadelphus enlarged the city and renamed it 'the Lycian Arsinoe' after his wife, but the old name prevailed. It struck autonomous coins as early as 440 BC and joined the Lycian league in 168 BC. The city was the reputed birthplace of St. Nicholas. Today extensive ruins remain, including a triumphal arch inscribed 'Patara the Metropolis of the Lycian Nation,' but the harbor is now an inland marsh choked by sand.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Patara," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Patara," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Patara," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).