Thyatira Ancient City

Thyatira Ancient City

Thyateira, now known as the Turkish city of Akhisar, was an ancient Greek city that was located about 50 miles (80 km) away from the Aegean Sea. It was originally called Pelopia and Semiramis, but during the Hellenistic era in 290 BC, it was renamed Thyateira.

Legend has it that King Seleucus I Nicator renamed the city after hearing of his daughter's birth while at war with Lysimachus. The name "Thyateira" means "daughter" in Greek.

Thyatira Ancient City

Thyatira was situated on the border of Lydia and Mysia and was known for its production of dyes during the Roman era. There are inscriptions related to a guild of dyers that have been found among the city's ruins.

In the early Christian period, Thyateira was home to a significant Christian church mentioned as one of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation. The book describes a woman named Jezebel, who called herself a prophetess, and who taught and seduced the Christians of Thyateira to commit sexual immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols.

During one of his journeys, the Apostle Paul may have visited Thyateira with Silas. They also stayed with Lydia from Thyateira while in Philippi, and she continued to help them after they were jailed and released.