Either the geographical region of Lydia in Asia Minor or the woman named after it. Acts mentions Lydia twice—a businesswoman from Thyatira (in Lydia) who sold purple cloth. She becomes Paul's first European convert, opening her home to the missionary team. Her name likely indicates her ethnic origin. Ancient Lydia was known for wealth, purple dye industry, and as the birthplace of coined money. The region appears in classical texts from Herodotus onward.