Sardis-The Seven Churches of Revelation

 Sardis-Seven Churches of Revelation

Gymnasium

Sardis was an important ancient city and the capital of the kingdom of Lydia in western Asia Minor. Lydia prospered due to its natural resources and position on trading routes between the Mediterranean and Asia. In the 7th and 6th centuries BC it expanded to its greatest extent during the reign of Croesus, famed for his great wealth.

Lydia was one of the first states to mint coinage, probably during the reign of Croesus' father Alyattes. These roughly made coins were small lumps of electrum (an alloy of gold and silver) stamped with a design of a lion and an ox.

In 547/546 BC, after the Battle of Thymbra fought between the forces of Croesus of Lydia and Cyrus the Great, Cyrus followed Croesus to his city. Croesus still thought he could win, because Sardis was a well-fortified city considered invincible, according to ancient prophecies. Additionally, he had sent for immediate aid from Sparta, his ally and the strongest state in Greece, and hoped to make a coalition with Egyptians, Babylonians and others, against Persia.

The Temple of Artemis

According to Herodotus, the city fell when Hyroeades, a Persian soldier, climbed up maybe the only section of the walls which was not adequately secured. He saw a Lydian soldier coming down the walls to retrieve a dropped helmet, and tried to follow the example. His success set the example to the rest of Cyrus' soldiers to slowly move over the exposed wall, and the city was easily taken. King Croesus thought he was safe, but he was not. He was sure it was impossible for Persians to invade his city, but they invaded it, set it on fire and slaughtered the people of Sardis.

People in Sardis knew exactly what Jesus meant when he said ''If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.''