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Pergamos; Pergamum

Locations
Modern Location Bergama, Turkey
Coordinates 39.1200, 27.1800

Geographical Setting

Pergamos was an ancient Hellenistic city in Mysia, renowned for its monumental architecture, the Library of Pergamon, and its role as a major religious and political center in Asia Minor.

What is the meaning of Pergamos; Pergamum in the Bible?

Pergamos was a prominent city in the ancient region of Mysia in Asia Minor, distinguished by its extensive library, the Great Altar of Zeus, and its status as a center for the imperial cult. It served as a key administrative hub and later became one of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Pergamos provides context for the Book of Revelation's description of a city where 'Satan's throne' was located, highlighting the intense pressure early Christians faced from state-sponsored imperial worship and pagan religious institutions in a major urban center.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Pergamos; Pergamum (located near modern Bergama, Turkey) held strategic importance. Understanding its position and trade routes explains why key biblical events unfolded here.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Pergamos; Pergamum in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Pergamos; Pergamum clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Pergamos; Pergamum." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pergamos-pergamum/
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