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 () shows that the native language was spoken by the common people of Lystra around 50 AD.

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.

Lycaonian language

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.

Lycaonian language

References

Languages of ancient Anatolia

Languages extinct in the 1st century

Unclassified languages of Asia

Unclassified Indo-European languages

Unattested languages of Asia

Lycaonian language