Pisidia
“Uncertain etymology; Smith's dictionary suggests 'pitchy'”
Summary
Pisidia was a rugged, mountainous district in southern Asia Minor through which Paul and Barnabas traveled twice during their first missionary journey, likely experiencing the 'perils of robbers' Paul mentions in his letters.
☩Geography and Character
Pisidia occupied the mountainous territory north of the coastal plain of Pamphylia, stretching along the Taurus range in southern Asia Minor. The region was bounded by Phrygia to the north, Lycia to the west, Pamphylia to the south, and Isauria to the east. The mountains are mostly limestone, partially clothed with forests of oak, pine, and juniper, with fertile valleys among the peaks producing olives, vines, and pomegranates. The scenery is wild and grand—bare cliffs rising a thousand feet on each side of foaming torrents, with fountains gushing forth amid thickets of oleander.
☩The Pisidian People
The Pisidians were semi-savage highlanders, wholly untouched by Hellenizing influences that affected other Anatolian peoples. They were governed by hereditary chieftains and followed 'a predatory mode of life,' carrying on continual warfare with neighboring kingdoms. Even after Roman conquest, the Pisidians maintained effective independence in their mountain fastnesses, paying only scanty tribute. The Romans established military colonies—Cremna, Comama, Olbasa, Parlais, and Lystra—connected by military roads to Antioch, attempting to pacify this turbulent region.
☩Paul's Journeys Through Pisidia
Paul and Barnabas crossed Pisidia twice on the first missionary journey: first traveling north from Perga to Pisidian Antioch, then returning south through the same region. The difficult mountain passes from the coast were always dangerous, and it was probably here that Paul experienced the 'perils of robbers' mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:26. John Mark's abrupt departure just as they were about to enter Pisidia may have been influenced by fear of these bandits. A Turkish town near the ruins of ancient Adada is called 'Kara Baulo' (Paul), suggesting an early tradition connecting Paul with the region.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pisidia," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Pisidia," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Pisidia," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Pisidia," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).