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3D reconstruction of Pergamon (Pergamum)

Pergamon in New Testament times.
Contributed by FreeBibleimages
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Pergamon in Greek (also know as Pergamum in Latin), was one of the seven churches addressed in the book of Revelation. The city of Pergamon became the centre of a large kingdom in the 3rd century BC and retained its status as a political and cultural leader for many centuries. It lies on the north edge of the Caicus plain in the historic region of Mysia in the northwest of modern Turkey. The Greek god of healing, Asclepius, received worship in cultic centre in the lower city where a temple to the ancient Egyptian god of the underworld was also located. – Slide 1
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The upper city was built on a 335-metre-high (1,100 ft) massif of volcanic andesite rock. The massif is about one kilometre wide and around 5.5 km long from north to south. At the foot of the massif flow the rivers Selinus to the west and Cetius to the east. The acropolis of Pergamon was a major centre of learning in the ancient world. Monumental temples, theatres, porticoes, gymnasium, altar and a library were set into the sloping terrain surrounded by an extensive city wall. After the city was passed to the Romans in 133 BC, Pergamon became a metropolis and was the capital of the Roman Province of Asia during the Roman imperial period. – Slide 2
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The amphitheatre of Pergamon was built into the western slope of a hill. It had space for around 10,000 people, in 78 rows of seats. – Slide 3
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A temple for Dionysus was built at the northern end of the theatre terrace. – Slide 4
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The sanctuary of Athena Nike was located on a terrace immediately above the theatre on the acropolis at Pergamon. The Nikephoria festival and games centred on the Sanctuary of Athena. – Slide 5
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The Pergamon Library (also known as the Athenaeum) was built on the north side of the northern stoa. It was home to approximately 200,000 volumes and became one of the most important libraries in the ancient world. Manuscripts were written on parchment, rolled, and then stored on the shelves. In fact, the word ‘parchment itself is derived from latin ‘pergamenum’. – Slide 6
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In writing to the Christians at Pergamon John states in Revelation 2:12-13, ‘I know where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is, and you hold fast to my name and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.’ – Slide 7
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Many think ‘the throne of Satan’ is a reference to the Great Altar in Pergamon built in the first half of the 2nd century BC. Others think it may be a reference to worship of the Roman emperor which was encouraged in the city. The Great Altar was a huge staple-shaped colonnaded structure on a large stepped podium. On it sacrifices were made to Zeus and Athena. It was decorated with a frieze 113 metres long depicting the Olympian gods and giants. The king or ruling power would address people from the top step of the altar. – Slide 8
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We can be sure the Christians living in Pergamon were surrounded by pagan influences, yet they held fast to Christ’s name and did not deny Him during difficult times. – Slide 9
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The propylon provided the entrance to the library and temple of Athena Nike. (The propylon and Great Altar have been restored and reconstructed in the Pergamon Museum, Berlin.) – Slide 10
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Augustus Caesar established the cult of emperor worship and, Pergamon was chosen as the headquarters. A temple was built in honour of Augustus, approximately 29 BC. The construction of the temple of Trajan was initiated under the Roman emperor Trajan who ruled 98-117AD and completed by his successor Hadrian. The purpose of the temple was to provide a venue for the religious cult of emperor worship along with Zeus, the king of the gods. <br/>In Revelation Antipas is mentioned as a ‘faithful witness’. The Bible does not say why, but Church tradition has it that Antipas was a physician suspected of secretly propagating Christianity. The Aesculapians (members of the medical guild) accused Antipas of disloyalty to Caesar. Upon being condemned to death, Antipas was placed inside a copper bull, which was then heated over a fire until it was red-hot. – Slide 11
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The church in Pergamon was not perfect and in Revelation comes the warning, ‘Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.’ (The Nicolaitans were a group who believed that God did not expect Christians to follow moral laws. They taught that that Christians were free to indulge in sensuality and idolatrous feasts.) <br/>The passage in Revelation goes on to promise, ‘To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.’ – Slide 12
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