Cilicia
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Acts 6:9; 21:39) - a region in southeastern Asia Minor, divided into western Cilicia Trachea, or rugged Cilicia, and eastern Cilicia Pedias, or level Cilicia. Pamphylia bordered it on the west; the Taurus range separated it from Cappadocia on the north; Mount Amanus divided it from Syria on the east; and the Mediterranean, 'the sea of Cilicia' (Acts 27:5), formed its southern boundary. Three great rivers watered the Cilician plain: the Cydnus, on which stood Tarsus, Paul's native city; the Sarus, later called Seihun; and the Pyramus, the largest of the three. They made Cilicia one of the most fertile regions, rich in fruit and grain.