Pergamum

 Pergamum, a city on the crossroads of major civilisations mentioned in the Book of Revelations

The Red Basilica dedicated to St John, the Apostle in Pergamum

We visited the rich historical and archaeological sites of Pergamum, reputed in ancient times for its world-famous library and advanced medical practices including the first reported use of anaesthesia dating back to the fourth century BC.

In the 1st century AD, Pergamum (now Bergama, Turkey) was a prominent city in Roman Asia Minor steeped in Egyptian-Greco-Roman religious practices - prompting St John to shortlist it among seven early Churches for chastisement in the Book of Revelations. Later during the reign of Emperor Constantinople, it became a centre of Christendom until it was overrun by the Ottoman Turks in 1336 during the reign of Orhan Gazi, the second Ottoman sultan.

World-famous library

Established during the Hellenistic period, Pergamum became a prominent centre for learning and culture in antiquity, and its status as a centre for religion, politics, and culture.

Acropolis of Pergamum, the site of the world-famous library

Pergamum was known for its grand Acropolis and the world-famous Library of Pergamum, said to be one of the greatest libraries of the ancient world, rivalling the famed Library of Alexandria. 

The library was established under the rule of the Attalid dynasty, during the reign of Eumenes II (197–159 BC), and is said to have housed up to 200,000 scrolls in Greek literature, philosophy, and science.

 In 133 BCE, King Attalus III of Pergamum bequeathed his kingdom to Rome, including the library. Legend has it that Mark Antony later gifted part of the library's collection to Cleopatra as a gesture of love, enriching the Library of Alexandria.

Invention of Parchment

Pergamum is traditionally credited with the invention of parchment (from the Greek word pergamene), a writing material made from animal skins, most often goatskin.

This innovation allegedly arose from a rivalry with the Library of Alexandria, after the Ptolemies in Egypt banned the export of papyrus to Pergamum.

Parchment proved to be durable and eventually replaced papyrus as the primary writing material in Europe.

Asciepion, at the forefront of Medical practices in the ancient world

Asciepion ruins of Pergamum 

Asclepion of Pergamum, dating back to the 4th Century BC, was a highly regarded medical hospital and renowned healing centre of the ancient world. 

Dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of healing and medicine, it served as a sanctuary and a medical treatment centre. Under Roman rule of Emperors Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius, the Asclepion continued to thrive, receiving financial support and attracting patients from across the empire.

One of the most famous physicians associated with the Asclepion was Galen (c. 129–216 AD), a prominent figure in ancient medicine, born in Pergamum. His work laid the foundation for much of Western medical practice.

The Red Basilica

The Red Basilica  (Turkish: Kızıl Avlu) is a lasting testimony of Pergamum’s rich cultural and religious history, embodying its transition from a centre of pagan idol worship of Egyptian and Roman Gods to a Christian stronghold following Emperor Constantine's Edict of Milan in 313 AD. At this time, the temple was converted into a Christian church, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist and favourite Apostle of Jesus. During the Ottoman period, one of the rotundas of the Red Basilica was transformed into a mosque, known as the Kurtuluş Camii. 

The structure was initially built as a temple dedicated to Egyptian gods, specifically Serapis, Isis, and Harpocrates, during the Roman era in the 2nd century AD under Emperor Hadrian to serve the sizable Egyptian population stemming from trade. 

The complex consisted of a main rectangular temple, flanked by two round towers. The massive scale and use of vibrant red brick make it an architectural marvel.

The temple was part of a larger sacred precinct that included courtyards, water channels, and underground chambers, possibly for cultic pagan rituals.

Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation

In chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation written by St John on the island of Patmos, he relayed specific messages from Jesus Christ to each of the seven early churches containing commendations, criticisms, and exhortations to maintain faithfulness, perseverance, repentance, and fervour in devotion to Christ in the face of rampant pagan Roman customs prevalent at that time.

1. Ephesus (near modern-day Selçuk, Turkey)

   - Message: Commended for hard work, perseverance, and rejecting false teachings but criticized for abandoning its first love (devotion to Christ).

   - Exhortation: Repent and return to your initial devotion.

   - Promise: Access to the tree of life in paradise.

2. Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey)

   - Message: Praised for enduring suffering and poverty while remaining spiritually rich. No criticism is given.

   - Exhortation: Be faithful even to the point of death.

   - Promise: The crown of life and immunity from the second death.

3. Pergamum (modern-day Bergama, Turkey)

   - Message: Commended for holding fast to faith despite living "where Satan’s throne is" but criticized for tolerating false teachings (e.g., those of Balaam and the Nicolaitans).

   - Exhortation: Repent.

   - Promise: Hidden manna and a white stone with a new name.

4. Thyatira (modern-day Akhisar, Turkey)

   - Message: Praised for love, faith, service, and perseverance but criticized for tolerating the false prophetess Jezebel.

   - Exhortation: Hold fast to the truth and reject immoral teachings.

   - Promise: Authority over nations and the morning star.

5. Sardis (near modern-day Sart, Turkey)

   - Message: Criticized for being spiritually dead despite its reputation for being alive.

   - Exhortation: Wake up, strengthen what remains, and repent.

   - Promise: White garments and acknowledgement before God and angels.

6. Philadelphia (modern-day Alaşehir, Turkey)

   - Message: Commended for keeping Christ’s word and not denying His name despite limited strength. No criticism is given.

   - Exhortation: Hold fast to what you have.

   - Promise: A pillar in God’s temple and a new name.

7. Laodicea (near modern-day Denizli, Turkey)

   - Message: Criticized for being lukewarm (neither hot nor cold) and self-reliant, yet spiritually poor.

   - Exhortation: Be zealous and repent.

   - Promise: The right to sit with Christ on His throne.