The marble capital from the Church of St John the Theologian, located in the Red Court of Pergamum, is an important reminder of the Christian presence in a city once dominated by pagan worship. This architectural element once formed part of a church dedicated to St John, the author traditionally associated with the Book of Revelation. Its survival shows how Christian buildings later reused and transformed older sacred spaces in the city The Decline of Ancient Pergamum.
The Meaning of the Two-Edged Sword
The image of the two-edged sword has deep roots in Jewish and Christian tradition. In the Letter to the Hebrews (4:12), the word of God is described as living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates deeply, separating soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and it judges the thoughts and intentions of the human heart. This metaphor shows that God’s word is not passive but active and penetrating.
A similar image appears in the Book of Psalms (149:6), where the faithful are invited to praise God while holding a two-edged sword in their hands. Here, the sword represents the defense of Zion and the triumph of divine justice. These earlier texts help explain why the sword became such a strong symbol in Christian writings.
Pergamum as a Center of Pagan Worship
When St John addressed the third of his letters in the Book of Revelation to Pergamum, the city was one of the most important centers of pagan religion in Asia Minor. It was especially known for the imperial cult, which required the worship of Roman emperors as divine figures Tours Sofia.
At the time the letter was written, a statue of the deified Emperor Augustus stood in the sacred enclosure, or temenos, of Athena’s Temple on the summit of the acropolis. There may also have been a statue of the goddess Roma nearby. These were among the earliest monuments of the Roman imperial cult in Pergamum and symbolized Roman political and religious power.
Satan’s Throne and the Great Altar
Another major monument on the acropolis was the Great Altar of Pergamum. Its walls were decorated with dramatic reliefs showing the battle between the Greek gods and the Giants. Some scholars believe that when St John referred to “Satan’s throne,” he had this Great Altar in mind because of its size, visibility, and pagan symbolism.
Other scholars argue that St John was more concerned with the imperial cult than with older Greek religious traditions, which were already losing their influence. The worship of the emperor directly challenged Christian belief and demanded public loyalty that Christians could not give.
The Sanctuary of Asclepius
On the plain below the acropolis stood the famous sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing. This sanctuary attracted pilgrims and patients from distant parts of the world. Healing rituals often involved sacred snakes, and a live serpent was kept in a mystical chest, known as a cista. Some scholars believe that this serpent or the sanctuary itself was another possible meaning behind the phrase “Satan’s throne.”
Faithfulness and Martyrdom
Despite the intense religious and political pressure around them, St John praises the Christians of Pergamum for remaining faithful. One of their leaders, Antipas, was martyred for his beliefs. According to tradition, he was killed by being burned alive inside a bronze bull.
In the New Testament, the Greek word martyr, meaning “witness,” usually refers to bearing witness to Christ through faith and life. Only twice is it used to mean someone who was actually killed: at the stoning of St Stephen and at the martyrdom of Antipas. This highlights the importance of Antipas’s sacrifice and the courage of the early Christian community in Pergamum.
