Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Acts 27:6

"And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein." — Acts 27:6 (ASV)

Myra was the most illustrious city in Lycia, with distinguished public buildings, a large theater, and many evidences of wealth. It became the natural port of call for grain ships bound for Rome from Egypt, and in commercial importance it overshadowed its rival Patara to the west. There Julius arranged with the owner of a larger Alexandrian grain ship to take the soldiers and prisoners on board for the longer voyage to Italy.