Pergamum

Pergamum was a city located in western Anatolia in Asia Minor. It was approximately 15 miles from the Aegean Sea on a rough and rugged hill reaching 1000 feet above the surrounding plains/region. It was a beautiful city and an ideal site for an ancient fortress. Although the earliest recorded civilization at Pergamum was in 2000 B.C., the city’s historical significance began when it became the capital of the emerging Attalid Dynasty in the 3rd century B.C. Pergamum was the most prominent city in Asia during the start of the Roman era when Rome "inherited" it from Attalus III. In the 2nd Century B.C., it likely had a population of 100,000 - 150,000 or more people. In modern times, the small town of Bergama is where Pergamum once lay.

Cult worship was a fundamental part of the city’s culture. The city had various temples dedicated to a multitude of deities from mostly Greek origin and some from Egyptian origin. They also partook in the Imperial Cult which worships the emperor. But one of the most notorious practices was the Asclepius Cult, dating back to at least 350 B.C. It was so influential that the Asclepius serpent became an emblem of the city itself. The temple of Asclepius became an important “healing center” for the people of the city.

The city’s trademark products were mainly produce, livestock, silver, ceramics, wool, and parchment. Some of its productions included exports. Parchment is said to have been both invented in and named after Pergamum. It was also known for its large library containing 200,000 volumes. Rumor has it that the volumes were later presented to Cleopatra by Mark Antony.

In Revelation 2:13, Christ says that the believers at the church of Pergamum have held fast and "kept His name" regardless of being "where Satan's throne is". "Satan's Throne" is typically interpreted in three different ways. One interpretation is that the verse was referring to a structure called the "Altar of Zeus". It is an impressive structure spanning 13,328sq ft (119ft x 112ft). The second interpretation is that the verse was referring to the Asclepius Cult. People from all over came to visit the city’s Asclepius "healing center" with the belief that they could be healed by rituals performed there. The third common interpretation is that Christ was referring to the Imperial Cult which was popular in Pergamum. Christians in the city faced persecution due to their unwillingness to participate in emperor worship.

There is not much known about Antipas mentioned in Revelation 2:13 besides the fact that he was a martyr.

The Nicolaitans, referenced in Revelation 2:14, were a group of people who were spreading a false precept of religious compromise. They were teaching Christians to partly follow pagan practices to avoid persecution.

Although not highly significant, there was also a Jewish population present at Pergamum.