Attalia was an ancient city located on the southern coast of Asia Minor, in what is now modern-day Turkey. It served as a significant port city in the region of Pamphylia. The city was founded by Attalus II Philadelphus, the king of Pergamon, in the 2nd century BC, and it was named in his honor. Attalia played a crucial role in the spread of Christianity during the early church period, as it was a key location in the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul.

Biblical Reference:

Attalia is mentioned in the New Testament in the context of Paul's first missionary journey. After preaching the gospel in various cities, Paul and Barnabas traveled to Attalia before returning to their home base in Antioch. The account is found in the Book of Acts:

"From Perga, they went down to Attalia. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed." (Acts 14:25-26)

This passage highlights Attalia as a strategic location for travel and communication in the ancient world, facilitating the spread of the gospel message.

Historical and Geographical Context:

Attalia was situated near the mouth of the Catarrhactes River, providing a natural harbor that made it an ideal location for trade and travel. The city's strategic position on the Mediterranean coast allowed it to flourish as a commercial hub, connecting various regions of the Roman Empire. Its proximity to other significant cities, such as Perga and Antioch of Pisidia, further enhanced its importance in the ancient world.

During the Roman period, Attalia became part of the province of Pamphylia, and later, it was incorporated into the larger province of Lycia-Pamphylia. The city's prosperity continued under Roman rule, and it became a center for the spread of Hellenistic culture and ideas.

Christian Significance:

The mention of Attalia in the Book of Acts underscores its role in the early Christian mission. As Paul and Barnabas concluded their first missionary journey, Attalia served as their final stop before returning to Antioch, where they reported on the success of their mission to the Gentiles. This journey marked a pivotal moment in the history of the early church, as it demonstrated the expansion of the gospel beyond Jewish communities to the Gentile world.

The presence of early Christians in Attalia and the surrounding regions contributed to the establishment of a vibrant Christian community in Asia Minor. The city's location along key trade routes facilitated the exchange of ideas and the dissemination of Christian teachings throughout the Roman Empire.

Archaeological and Modern Context:

Today, the ancient city of Attalia is known as Antalya, a thriving city and popular tourist destination in Turkey. While much of the ancient city has been overbuilt by modern development, some archaeological remains, such as the Roman harbor and city walls, can still be seen. These remnants offer a glimpse into the city's historical significance and its role in the early Christian era.

Antalya continues to be a place of interest for historians and archaeologists studying the spread of Christianity and the cultural exchanges that took place in the ancient Mediterranean world.Attalia

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Attalia

(from Attalus), a coast-town of Pamphylia, mentioned (Acts 14:25) It was built by Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamos, and named after the monarch. All its remains are characteristic of the date of its foundation. Leake fixes Attalia at Adalia , on the south court of Asia Minor, north of the Duden Su , the ancient Catarrhactes.

Attalia

A seaport in Pamphylia, at the mouth of the river Catarrhactes, visited by Paul and Barnabas on their way from Perga to Antioch, Acts 14:25. There is still a village there of a similar name, with extensive ruins in the vicinity.

ATTALIA

at-a-li'-a Attalia: A city on the southern coast of Asia Minor in ancient Pamphylia which, according to Acts 14:25, was visited by Paul and Barnabas on the way to Antioch during their first missionary journey. The city was founded by Attalus II Philadelphus (159-138 B.C.), hence, its name Attalia, which during the Middle Ages was corrupted to Satalia; its modern name is Adalia. Attalia stood on a flat terrace of limestone, about 120 ft. high, near the point where the Catarrhactes River flowed into the sea. The river now, however, has practically disappeared, for the greater part of its water is turned into the fields for irrigation purposes. The early city did not enjoy the ecclesiastical importance of the neighboring city of Perga; but in 1084 when Perga declined, Attalia became a metropolis. In 1148 the troops of Louis IV sailed from there to Syria; in 1214 the Seljuks restored the city walls, and erected several public buildings. The city continued to be the chief port for ships from Syria and Egypt, and the point of entry to the interior until modern times, when the harbor at Mersine was reopened; it has now become a place of little importance.

The town possesses considerable which is of archaeological interest. The outer harbor was protected by ancient walls and towers now in ruins; its entrance was closed with a chain. The inner harbor was but a recess in the cliff. The city was surrounded by two walls which were constructed at various times from material taken from the ruins of the ancient city; the outer wall was protected by a moat. The modern town, lying partly within and partly without the walls is thus divided into quarters. In the southern quarter live the Christians; in the northern the Moslems. Among other objects of archaeological interest still to be seen may be mentioned the inscribed arched gateway of Hadrian and the aqueduct. Rich gardens now surround the town; the chief exports are grain, cotton, licorice root and valonia or acorn-cups.

E. J. Banks

825. Attaleia -- Attalia, a city of Pamphylia
... Attalia, a city of Pamphylia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Attaleia
Phonetic Spelling: (at-tal'-i-ah) Short Definition: Attalia Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/825.htm - 6k

The Kingdom Conquering the World
... 10. Iconium " " " " " 11. Antioch " " " " " in P. " " " " 12.
Perga " " " " " 13. Attalia " " " " " 14. Antioch ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/ix the kingdom conquering the.htm

Acts xiv. 14, 15
... And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia (v.24,
25): (l) and thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxi acts xiv 14.htm

Gospel Missions
... but he must go also to Pamphylia; it was not enough that he should be the great
preacher of Pamphylia and Pisidia, but he must go also to Attalia; and when he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm

Acts XIV
... (24) "And passing through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia; (25) and having
spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiv.htm

Preaching among the Heathen
... newly organized churches to the Lord, the apostles went to Pamphylia, "and when
they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia, and thence ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 18 preaching among the.htm

Acts VIII
... often means going down to a place, is quite certain; eg, 'Jesus went down to Capernaum;'
'Jacob went down to Egypt;' 'They went down to Attalia;' 'They went ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts viii.htm

Attalia (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ATTALIA. at-a-li'-a ... modern name is Adalia.
Attalia stood on a flat terrace of limestone, about 120 ft. ...
/a/attalia.htm - 8k

Perga (3 Occurrences)
... pur'-ga (Perge): 1. Location and History: An important city of the ancient province
of Pamphylia, situated on the river Cestris, 12 miles Northeast of Attalia. ...
/p/perga.htm - 10k

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)
... Somewhat later the Greek city of Attalia, which was rounded by Attalus III Philadelphus
(159-138 BC), rose to importance, and until recent years has been the ...
/p/pamphylia.htm - 12k

Attali'a (1 Occurrence)
Attali'a. Attalia, Attali'a. Attalus . ... Attali'a (1 Occurrence). Acts 14:25 and
having spoken in Perga the word, they went down to Attalia, (See RSV). ...
/a/attali'a.htm - 6k

Attaleia (1 Occurrence)

/a/attaleia.htm - 6k

Preached (75 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Acts 14:25 And when they had preached the word in Perga,
they went down into Attalia: (KJV WBS NIV). Acts 15:35 But ...
/p/preached.htm - 28k

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)
... Lystra (Acts 14:19). Paul passed through Antioch a second time on his way
to Perga and Attalia (Acts 14:21). He must have visited ...
/p/pisidia.htm - 21k

Antioch (21 Occurrences)
... Lystra (Acts 14:19). Paul passed through Antioch a second time on his way
to Perga and Attalia (Acts 14:21). He must have visited ...
/a/antioch.htm - 27k

Attalus
... 22 among the kings to whom was sent an edict (Ant., XIV, viii, 5) from
Rome forbidding the persecution of the Jews. See ATTALIA. ...
/a/attalus.htm - 6k

Preaching (116 Occurrences)
... Iconium and Antioch, (BBE). Acts 14:25 And, after preaching the word in Perga,
they went down to Attalia; (BBE). Acts 15:21 for Moses ...
/p/preaching.htm - 50k

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