What is…
Cilicia

This is an ancient maritime province in the southeast of Asia Minor (modern southern Turkey along the Mediterranean coast).

Tarsus, the birthplace of the Apostle Paul, was one of its chief towns, and the seat of a celebrated school of philosophy.

Its luxurious climate attracted to it many Greek residents after its incorporation with the Macedonian empire.

In 67 BC, it was formed into a Roman province.

The Jews of Cilicia had a synagogue at Jerusalem (Acts 6:9).

Paul visited it soon after his conversion (Galatians 1:21; Acts 9:30), and again, on his second missionary journey (15:41), “he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.”

It was famous for its goat’s-hair cloth, called cilicium. Paul learned in his youth the trade of making tents of this cloth.

Cilicia’s cities served civilization on the crossroads between Anatolia, Syria, and the Mediterranean—strategic for empires, trade (horses, grain, silver), and cultural exchange.

Ancient Cilicia was geographically and historically divided into two distinct regions: Cilicia Pedias (Plain Cilicia or Cilicia Campestris) and Cilicia Trachea (Rough Cilicia or Cilicia Aspera). This division reflects the terrain: Pedias featured fertile alluvial plains watered by major rivers (Cydnus/Tarsus Çayı, Sarus/Seyhan, and Pyramus/Ceyhan), supporting agriculture, trade, and larger urban centers. Trachea consisted of rugged Taurus Mountain spurs, rocky headlands, and small harbors, often associated with piracy in classical times and smaller coastal settlements.

Cilicia's history spans Hittite, Assyrian, Persian, Hellenistic (Seleucid/Ptolemaic), Roman, Byzantine, and later Armenian periods (notably the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, 1080–1375 AD).

Major cities varied in prominence by era, with some rising under Hellenistic/Roman urbanization or administrative reorganization (e.g., Diocletian's division into Cilicia Prima and Secunda around 297 AD).

Notable cities of the plain/flat part of Cilicia

• Tarsus (modern Tarsus, Turkey, Mersin Province) — The most consistently dominant city across eras. It was the capital of independent Cilicia under the Syennesis dynasty (6th–4th centuries BC), the Persian satrapal seat, the Hellenistic center (briefly Antioch on the Cydnus), and the Roman provincial capital (Cilicia Prima). It was also the site of Antony and Cleopatra’s meeting. It thrived on trade routes through the Cilician Gates and was renowned for schools rivaling Athens/Alexandria.

• Adana (modern Adana, Turkey) — One of the oldest settlements (mentioned as Adanija in Hittite/Assyrian sources). It was a capital under some Neo-Hittite/Assyrian periods. It was the major river port on the Sarus. It retained importance through Roman/Byzantine times and into the Armenian Kingdom era.

• Anazarbus (Anazarba/Anavarza, modern Kozan area, Adana Province) — It rose prominently in Roman times and rivaled Tarsus by the 2nd–3rd centuries AD. It was the capital of Cilicia Secunda after Diocletian's reforms. It was refounded/renamed (Caesarea ad Anazarbus, and later Justinopolis/Justinianopolis). The ancient archaeological ruins are impressive, including a triumphal arch, aqueducts, theater, stadium, and fortifications.

• Mopsuestia (Mopsus/Misis, modern Yakapınar, Turkey near Adana) — Located on the Pyramus River; legendary founding tied to the Greek hero Mopsos. It became significant in late antiquity for theology/schools.

• Issus (near modern Dörtyol; site of Alexander's victory over Darius III)

• Mallus

• Aegae

• Epiphania (Epiphaneia)

• Flavias/Flaviopolis

• Castabala (Hierapolis Castabala)

Major cities of the rugged part of Cilicia

This western mountainous/coastal zone had fewer large cities due to the terrain. Settlements focused on ports, piracy havens, and later Hellenistic/Roman foundations.

• Seleucia on the Calycadnus (modern Silifke, Turkey) — renowned cultural and idolatry center (temple of Jupiter/Zeus); Capital of Isauria after later divisions

• Corycus (Korykos, modern Kızkalesi, Turkey) — prominent port; Hellenistic/Roman ruins include theaters, necropoleis, and an offshore castle island

• Anemurium — a coastal city with well-preserved Roman/Byzantine ruins (theater, baths, necropolis)

• Celenderis (modern Aydıncık, Turkey) — an early Greek colony (Samian); minted coins from 5th century BC

• Pompeiopolis (Soli-Pompeiopolis, near modern Mersin) — important port; refounded by Roman general and statesman Pompey the Great after pirate suppression

More information

• Answers about Turkey in the Bible
• What is Tarsus?
• Who is Paul? and what is his significance?
• What does the Bible say about goats?
• Answers about tents in the Bible
• Answers about cloth and weaving in the Bible
• Answers about coins in the Bible
• Answers about idolatry and false gods in the Bible and history