Day 06 - Western Coast: Pergamum

The High Places of Pergamum

We began our morning with a heartfelt devotional led by Gail, who reminded us of the power of thankfulness—particularly the gratitude that comes from having the eyes of our hearts opened to the Gospel. Her reflections, anchored in Ephesians 1:18, 1 Peter 1:3, and Colossians 1:11–14, encouraged us to be captivated by Jesus both in worship and in sharing the Good News.

After leaving our hotel in Sardis, we traveled to Pergamum. Rather than hiking the steep hill to the acropolis, we took gondolas this time, which allowed us to take in the stunning panoramic views of the ancient city from above.

At the top, we dove into the rich history of Pergamum. We learned that its name, rooted in the Hittite language, means "people of the high location." Interestingly, the city was handed over to the Romans peacefully through a document rather than through warfare. However, not long after (in 133 B.C.), the Romans crushed a rebellion, killing around 30,000 people. Pergamum was also a cultural and intellectual center where parchment was perfected, and early book forms like pages and codices began to take shape.

A major highlight was visiting the ruins of the Altar of Zeus—once the second-largest altar in the ancient world (121 x 112 ft). Many scholars believe this could be the “throne of Satan” mentioned in Revelation 2:13 due to its prominence, throne-like structure, and the dark rituals practiced there. This site may have also been where Antipas, a member of the early church, was martyred.

Next, we made our way to the steepest theater we've encountered so far. There, Ty led us through Revelation 2:12–17, challenging us to dig deep into the Word and not to compromise our faith. The church in Pergamum knew what Roman power could do—it had taken one of their own. But God wields a different kind of sword: the sword of His Word, which brings justice and life. Ty posed these these reflection questions:

Who can warn you?

Does anyone know you well enough to call out your compromises? And are you willing  to listen?

From there, we walked up to the Sanctuary of Trajan, passing through a mountain tunnel and marveling at the architectural ingenuity it took to level the mountaintop. We also saw the remains of what was once the third-largest library in the ancient world.

Seeking shade from the sun, we gathered for another session with Ty, who spoke about the unmatched superiority of Jesus—especially in contrast to the Greek gods. He specifically compared Jesus with Dionysius, the god of wine and theater. Ty reminded us that while the Scriptures are rich and profound, their core truths are also wonderfully clear. Quoting Alistair Begg: “The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things.” He challenged us to consider what idols might be creeping into our own lives. After a time of reflection, we visited a few local shops and took the gondola back down for lunch.

In the afternoon, we visited the Temple of Asklepios, known in ancient times as a healing center. Legend has it that Roman centurions taught Asklepios how to heal and even raise the dead. We heard some wild stories—including that of a hypochondriac senator who underwent treatments like bloodletting, mud baths, and herbal remedies. People were even prescribed treatments based on their dreams, and secluded underground rooms had gutters through which priests would chant daily, “Get well in the name of Asklepios.” We also saw an ancient 3,500-seat theater dedicated exclusively to comedy—our guide Gokhan called it the "first and most famous comedy club."

Ty concluded the day’s teachings with a reflection on the tension early Christians must have felt in such places. He quoted Justin Martyr, who once said that this false god was “harder to root out of people’s minds and hearts.” Health is a deeply personal and emotional area—and one where people are often tempted to place their hope outside of Christ.

After a full day of learning, reflection, and walking, we made our way back to the bus to head toward Ephesus where we got to our hotel on the Aegean Sea.