Philadelphia (Alasehir), Turkey
 View through the remaining columns of an ancient Byzantine Church in Philadelphia (Alashehir). Photo © HolyLandPhotos.org. |
Modern-day Alasehir, Turkey was originally named Philadelphia, "city of brotherly love."
Philadelphia/Alesehir is located approximately 80 miles east of Smyrna/Izmir and 26 miles southwest of Sardis. It stands on the Cogamis River, a tributary of the Hermus river.
History
Philadelphia was founded in 189 BC by King Eumenes II of Pergamum (197-160 BC), who named the city for the love of his brother who would be his successor, Attalus II (159-138 BC).
Lacking an heir, Pergamum King Attalus III Philometer bequeathed his kingdom, including Philadelphia, to his Roman allies when he died in 133 BC. Rome set up the province of Asia in 129 BC by combining Ionia and the former Kingdom of Pergamum.
The ancient city of Philadelphia had several temples. Like nearby Sardis, it was hit with a devastating earthquake in 17 AD; the city was rebuilt with the help of Emperor Tiberius.
Ancient Philadelphia was the sixth of the Seven Churches of Revelation (written around 100 AD). In Revelation 3:12, the believer who overcomes is compared to a pillar in the temple of God.
What to See
Today, all there is to see at ancient Philadelphia are columns of a Byzantine church, on which some frescoes are visible.
- Philadelphia – Holy Land Photos
