Lycia

• Lycia was a Roman Province now located in the Mediterranean Coast Region of Turkey.

1. History

• Pre-Roman history:
  • A Coastal Region bordered on all sides by high mountains making it a naturally independent seafaring state, whose ancient Capital was Xanthos.
  • Lycia resisted Greek influence for centuries and was controlled by the Persian Empire from the 6th century BCE until Alexander the Great invaded in 333 BCE, and Greek influence was finally established.
• Acquisition by Rome:
  • 190 BCE Roman invasion to defeat the King of the Seleucid Empire, Antiochus III of Syria.
  • 167 BCE The Roman Senate gave Lycia semi-autonomy after Rhodes failed to impose control over Lycia.
• Timeline of this Province:
• Under The Republic:
  • 46 BCE Julius Caesar signed an Alliance Treaty with Lycia recognising its independence.
• After Augustus’ reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE):
  • 43 CE Claudius ended Lycian independence and merged it with Pamphylia.
  • 74 CE Vespasian then officially merged the two Provinces and called it ‘Lycia et Pamphylia’.
  • 141 CE Devastated by Earthquakes in 141 and 240 CE.
• After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
  • 314 or 325 CE separated from Pamphylia.
• After Death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire
  • Remained part of the Byzantine Empire until the Arab invasions.
• Famous Persons from this Province:
• Chief archeological Finds:
  • Patara Roman Lighthouse (is 60 yrs older than La Coruna Roman Lighthouse), Patara, Xanthos
• Historic Battle Sites:
• Main Historical Sources for this Province:

2. Geography

• Capital City:
  • Patara (Ruins)
• Chief Cities:
  • Myra, Xanthos (Ruins), Limyra (Ruins), Pinara, Tlos (Ruins), Selinus (Ruins).
• Location Today:
• Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • Pamphylia
• Climate and Temperature Today:
  • Mediterranean Climate
    • Hot, dry Summers and warm, wet Winters.
• Main Geographical features:
  • A Coastline surrounded by Mountains.
• Main Rivers:
• Mountain Ranges:
• Islands:
  • Rhodes is approximately 40-50 miles (70-80km) away.
  • Opposite Kas is the easternmost of the Greek Dodecanese, the island of Kastellorizo (Meis).

3. Political Organisation

• Province Type
  • Imperial Propraetorial
  • After 43 CE, united with Pamphylia.
  • 74 CE Officially merged into one Province ‘Lycia et Pamphylia’.
• Governor:
  • Propraetor
• Tribes and Population:
  • Lycian and Greek
• Language:
  • Lycian
  • Ancient Greek

4. Military Organisation

• Legions:
• Navy:
• Defensive Works:
• Main Threats:

5. Economy

• Chief Exports:
• Agriculture and Fishing:
• Manufacturing:
• Mines:
• Mints:

6. Transport

• Roads:
  • Mediterranean Coastal Road
    • Ephesus to Antioch
• Waterways:
• Ports:
  • Patara
• Ancient Trade Routes:
  • Sea Route from Ephesus to Antioch.
• Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7. Relationship with Rome

• After the Roman conquest of 190 BCE, Lycia was given to Rhodes, who failed to rule Lycia, and it was subsequently given semi-autonomy.
• In 43 CE it was united with Pamphylia as one Province, and in 74 CE, it officially became the Province of Lycia et Pamphylia which together became wealthy and prosperous.

8. History of Christianity in this Province

• Large Christian Population.
• St. Nicholas of Myra (born c. 300 CE)
  • The Bishop of Myra. He is one of the historical figures that ‘Santa Claus’ is based on today, from his secret giving of gifts by putting coins in people’s shoes.

9. Roman Authors describing this Province

Lycia (capital Patara ruins)