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Pergamos

Locations
Modern Location Bergama, Izmir Province, Turkey
Coordinates 39.1200, 27.1800

Geographical Setting

An ancient Hellenistic city situated on a limestone promontory in the Aegean region of western Anatolia.

What is the meaning of Pergamos in the Bible?

Pergamos was the administrative capital of the Roman province of Asia, renowned for its extensive library and the Temple of Trajan, serving as a vital hub for Hellenistic culture and Roman governance.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding Pergamos as a center of imperial worship and pagan intellectualism clarifies the specific challenges faced by the early Christian community in Revelation, particularly regarding the pressure to participate in the state-sponsored cult of the emperor.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Geopolitical & Terrain Context: Pergamos (located near modern Bergama, Izmir Province, 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 in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Pergamos 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." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/pergamos/
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