Lycaonians

The Lycaonians were an ancient people who inhabited the region of Lycaonia in Anatolia, which is modern-day Turkey. Their territory was located in the central and southern parts of the plateau, east of Cappadocia and north of the Taurus Mountains. Historically, Lycaonia was known for its arid landscape, with vast plains and salt lakes.

The Lycaonians are mentioned in various ancient sources, including the Bible and writings by classical authors like Strabo and Xenophon. In the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul and Barnabas visited Lystra and Derbe, two prominent cities within Lycaonia. The text describes the Lycaonians as speaking a language distinct from Greek, which is often identified as an Anatolian language, possibly related to the Luwian language. This suggests a long-standing indigenous presence in the region.

The region of Lycaonia was strategically important due to its location on trade routes. It was influenced by various empires and cultures over centuries, including the Hittites, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. Under Roman rule, Lycaonia became part of the province of Galatia. Despite these external influences, the Lycaonians maintained some of their unique cultural and linguistic identity. The exact extent of their political independence varied throughout history, often being subject to larger neighboring kingdoms or empires. By the Roman period, the distinct Lycaonian language appears to have gradually faded, likely assimilated into broader cultural linguistic trends.