What is…
Iconium

also known as: Claudiconium, Colonia Aelia Hadriana, Konya, Konieh, Konia and Koniah

This is the capital of ancient Lycaonia (now south-central Turkey).

It was first visited by Paul and Barnabas from Antioch-in-Pisidia during the apostle’s first missionary journey (Acts 13:50-51). Here they were persecuted by the Jews, and being driven from the city, they fled to Lystra. This was about 47–48 AD.

They afterwards returned to Iconium, and encouraged the church which had been founded there (14:21-22).

It was probably again visited by Paul during his third missionary journey along with Silas (Acts 18:23).

This area has been under the rule of…

• the Hittites
• the Phrygians
• the Greeks
• the Cimmerians
• the kings of Pergamon
• the Persians
• the Romans
• the Seljuk Turks
• the Karamanids
• Ottoman Empire (15th century)

During the Roman period its name was changed to Claudiconium by Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Later, during the reign of emperor Hadrianus it was known as Colonia Aelia Hadriana.

The modern name of Iconium is Konya, Turkey (aka Konieh, Konia or Koniah). It is at the foot of Mount Taurus, about 120 miles inland from the Mediterranean.

More information

• Who is Paul?
• Who is Barnabas?
• What is Lycaonia?
• About Turkey in the Bible
• What are the cities of the Bible? Names, descriptions, locations and types
• Places of the Bible