Lycaonian is an unclassified language spoken in the former region of Lycaonia. The Lycaonians appear to have retained a distinct nationality in the time of Strabo, but their ethnical affiliations are unknown. The mention of the Lycaonian language in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 14:11–12) shows that the native language was spoken by the common people of Lystra around 50 AD.[1]
| Lycaonian | |
|---|---|
| Region | Lycaonia, Asia Minor |
| Extinct | c. 50 AD |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | None (mis) |
| Glottolog | None |
The name "Lycaonia" is believed to be a Greek-adapted version (influenced by the Greek masculine name Lycaon) of an original Lukkawanna, which would mean 'the land of the Lukka people' in an old Anatolian language related to Hittite.[2]
It is notable though that in the Acts of the Apostles, Barnabas was called 'Zeus', and Paul was thought to be Hermes by the Lycaonians.
References
edit- ^ "Topical Bible: Lycaonia". biblehub.com. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ Palmer, Leonard R. (1996). The Greek language. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 20. ISBN 0-8061-2844-5. OCLC 33277350.