Pergamos; Pergamum
A City of Splendor and Power
Pergamum stood in the Caicus valley of ancient Mysia, about fifteen miles from the Aegean coast in what is now western Turkey. The city rose to prominence under the Attalid dynasty, beginning with Philetaerus (283-263 BC), who used a treasure of 9,000 talents of gold to establish an independent Greek kingdom. Under Attalus I (241-197 BC) and especially Eumenes II (197-159 BC), the city became one of the most magnificent in the ancient world. Its famous library held 200,000 volumes and rivaled the great library of Alexandria. The development of parchment as a writing material is traditionally associated with Pergamum, and the very word "parchment" derives from the city's name.
The Seat of Pagan Worship
Pergamum was a center of intense pagan religious activity. The city boasted grand temples to Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, and Asklepios, the god of healing. The great altar of Zeus, standing forty feet high, was considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. The temple of Asklepios drew sick people from across the Roman province of Asia who slept in its courts hoping for healing dreams. The serpent, symbol of Asklepios, was a prominent feature of the cult. This concentration of pagan worship provides crucial background for understanding Christ's words to the church at Pergamum.
Capital of the Roman Province of Asia
When Attalus III died in 133 BC, he bequeathed his kingdom to Rome. Pergamum became the capital of the new Roman province of Asia — not the continent, but the specific Roman administrative region in western Asia Minor. The city was also an early and enthusiastic center of emperor worship. A temple to Augustus was erected there, and the city competed with other Asian cities for the privilege of hosting the imperial cult. This combination of traditional pagan religion and emperor worship created an environment of enormous spiritual pressure for early Christians.
Christ's Message to the Church at Pergamum
In Revelation 2:12-17, the risen Christ addresses the church at Pergamum through a letter dictated to John. He identifies himself as the one "who has the sharp two-edged sword" (Revelation 2:12) and acknowledges that the believers live "where Satan's throne is" (Revelation 2:13). This phrase likely refers to the great altar of Zeus, the emperor worship cult, or the city's overall dominance as a center of pagan religion. Christ commends the church for holding fast to his name even in the face of martyrdom, specifically mentioning Antipas, "my faithful witness, who was killed among you" (Revelation 2:13).
Warnings and Promises
Despite the commendation, Christ rebukes the church for tolerating those who hold to the teaching of Balaam and the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:14-15). The teaching of Balaam involved enticing God's people to eat food sacrificed to idols and to practice sexual immorality — compromises that would have been especially tempting in a city saturated with pagan festivals and temple rituals. Christ calls the church to repent and promises the overcomer "hidden manna" and "a white stone with a new name written on it" (Revelation 2:17), symbols of divine sustenance and intimate relationship with God.
The Legacy of Pergamum
The archaeological remains of Pergamum are among the most impressive in Turkey. The great altar of Zeus was excavated in the nineteenth century and reconstructed in Berlin's Pergamon Museum. The ruins of the Asklepion, the acropolis, the library, and the theater still testify to the city's former grandeur. For Bible readers, Pergamum stands as a powerful example of faithful witness under pressure and a warning against compromising with the surrounding culture.
Biblical Context
Pergamum is addressed as one of the seven churches in Revelation 2:12-17. Christ acknowledges the church's faithfulness in a hostile spiritual environment, commends the martyr Antipas, and warns against the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. The city's identification as the place 'where Satan's throne is' makes it one of the most striking addresses in Revelation.
Theological Significance
The letter to Pergamum teaches that faithfulness to Christ may require standing firm in environments dominated by opposing spiritual forces. The tension between cultural accommodation and faithful witness remains relevant for Christians in every age. Christ's promise of 'hidden manna' and a 'white stone' assures believers that divine provision and intimate relationship await those who overcome.
Historical Background
Pergamum was the capital of the Roman province of Asia and a major center of Hellenistic culture. Its library of 200,000 volumes was second only to Alexandria's. The great altar of Zeus, excavated in the 1870s, is now housed in Berlin's Pergamon Museum. The Asklepion healing center drew patients from across the ancient world. The city was an early center of the imperial cult, with a temple to Augustus erected during the emperor's lifetime. Archaeological excavations have revealed extensive remains of the acropolis, theaters, and temples.