PATARA păt’ ə rə (Πάταρα, G4249). A city of Lycia in southern Asia Minor.

Because of its fine harbor, its maritime commerce, and its inland trade, Patara was a large city. Its importance may be judged by the fact that it issued its own coinage as early as the 4th cent. b.c. The city was said to have been founded by Patarus, the son of Apollo, and its temple and oracle of the god were famous. Many remains of the ancient city can still be seen, such as the walls, baths, a theater, etc.

Patara maintained strong commercial ties with Egypt. During the 3rd cent. b.c. Ptolemy Philadelphus beautified and enlarged the city and renamed it Arsinoe for his sister. The name did not last, and the old name was soon restored. The city became a favorite stopping place for travelers enroute from Egypt to the western parts of Asia. During this Ptolemaic period the native Lycian culture gave way to the process of Hellenization, for Lycian inscrs. disappeared from the scene, and Gr. became universal. In the 2nd cent. a.d., Patara retained its outstanding position, being one of six cities mentioned as belonging to the first rank in the revived Lycian League.

The Apostle Paul reached Patara, via Cos and Rhodes, coming from Miletus on his final trip to Jerusalem. There he transferred to another ship, bound for Tyre (Acts 21:1, 2). Codex Bezae adds the words “and Myra” after “Patara” in Acts 21:1. If this reading is followed, then the apostle did not change ships at Patara, but at Myra instead (q.v.).

Bibliography A. H. M. Jones, The Cities of the Eastern Roman Provinces (1937), 98-102.