It Starts Small

The city of Sardis was started in the twelfth century before Christ. It was located thirty-five miles southeast of Thyatira. Sardis was the capital city to the kingdom of Lydia and eventually fell to the Romans, but was revived after the fall of the Roman empire.

At the height of the Lydian rule, it was one of the richest cities. Historians have credited the Lydians with the invention of coined money. The area was attributed to have rich soil. The city was built on a plateau of crumbling rock that rose 1500 feet above the plain. The plateau was part of mount Tomolus. The walls were perpendicular to the elevation and the only way into the city was a very narrow passage that was steep and easily fortified and guarded.

At the base of the cliff, the Pactolus river flows. Sardis was considered an impregnable fortress. The natural defenses of the city made the people proud and arrogant. You can compare it with the makers of the titanic saying only God could sink it. The walls were carelessly guarded and as a result, Cyrus captured the city. When Cyrus was at the plains below, the king had no concern. On a dark night, a Persian soldier climbed the impossible side of the city. Other soldiers followed him to the top. The city was then infiltrated. Some historians believe a Persian soldier infiltrated the city and at the cover of night killed the few guards who were to keep watch of the narrow path.

Artemis was the main goddess of the city and the temple dedicated to her in Sardis was one of the seven largest Greek temples (more than double the size of the Parthenon). Artemis, known as Diana by the Romans, was the daughter of Zeus and twin of Apollo. She was the goddess of the hunt, the moon, and fertility. A large complex built in the center of the lower city in the 2nd century AD included a gymnasium and a bathhouse. The complex was over five acres in size and its western part was characterized by large vaulted halls for bathing. The eastern part was a palaestra, a large open courtyard for exercise.

What is most notable about the synagogue here is the size and architecture. In size, it is one of the largest ancient synagogues excavated. In location, it is found in the center of the urban center, instead of on the periphery as synagogues typically were. This attests to the strength and wealth of the Jewish community in the city. This synagogue came into use in the 3rd century AD.

The city was home to the famous bishop Melito in the 2nd century.

When Sardis was controlled by the Seleucid Empire (312-63 BCE), King Antiochus III (the Great, r. 223-187 BCE) encouraged Jews to move there to increase the population. By the 1st century CE, when the city was under Roman control, Jewish rights to freedom of religion were upheld and this policy continued under Hadrian (r. 117-138) and Antoninus Pius, both of whom were also charitable toward the new sect of Christianity which, at that time in Asia Minor, was still associated with Judaism. The same religious tolerance shown to the Jewish community at Sardis seems to have been granted to the Christians.

Even so, under Marcus Aurelius, the Christians of Asia Minor collectively, and at Sardis specifically, were subject to persecution which included exorbitant taxation and confiscation of homes and goods. This is where the bishop Melito came into the picture. He wrote Apology for the Christian. It was a letter to be sent to the Emperor Aurelius.

He begins by describing the persecution of Christians in Asia Minor and asking for Aurelius to intercede on their behalf. He then points out how Rome has flourished since the advent of Christianity and Christians have only been persecuted under “bad emperors” such as Nero and Domitian. He appeals to Aurelius’ adoptive ancestry by citing Hadrian and Antoninus Pius and their favorable policies toward Christians and notes Hadrian’s edict of c. 122 to the pro-consul of Asia Minor, Gaius Minicius Fundanus (l. 2nd century), ensuring any Christian accused of a crime would be treated fairly in a court of law. The Apology concludes with a reminder of Aurelius’ own charitable policies toward Christians and Melito’s expectation that he will intercede on their behalf.

Nothing in history accounts for Aurelius having received the letter. It has been suggested that he was out on a conquering campaign and never received the letter. Needless to say, the persecutions did not stop. It is very possible that he did in the very way he detailed the terrible deaths of others in his letter.