Pergamum

Revelation 2:12-18

Modern location: 26 kilometres from the modern coastline of the Aegean Sea on a promontory on the north side of the river Caicus and northwest of the modern city of Bergama, Turkey.

Capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor for over 25 years.

1. the first temple of the cult was located there in 29 BC
   • “given to idolatry more than all Asia.”
   • “to eat things sacrificed to idols,” may be rendered as “memorial meals for the dead,” which were a typical ritual in Hellenistic and Roman paganism
2. Emperor Caracallia
   • a coin shows his hand raised in the salute Hitler’s Nazis brought back.
   • had a throne there.
3. Dionysus
   • god of vegetation
   • snakes and handling of reptiles associated with the cult
4. Asklepios
   • god of healing
   • snakes was symbol
5. Zeus
   • had throne-like altar - discovered and taken to Germany and reconstructed in EAst Berlin Museum
   • called Zeus the Savior
   • Athene was also worshipped
6. Antipater died by burning in a brazen bull in Domitian’s day. Many historians believe it was here
7. Nicolaitans
   • A Christian congregation holding doctrines Jesus hated.
   • Believed the Law of God was no longer binding.
8. Ceasar
   • First city with a temple to Ceasar
   • capital of the cult of Ceaar worship
9. Serapis
   • god associated with the underworld, Osiris/Hades/Pluto