City
Smyrna
SMUR-nuh · Modern İzmir, Turkey
Smyrna is a city of the biblical world, known today as İzmir, Turkey.
What is known
- One of the seven churches of Revelation, one of only two (with Philadelphia) to receive no criticism from John, only encouragement amid coming persecution (Revelation 2:8-11)
- Later became famous as the site of Polycarp's martyrdom (c. AD 155), a bishop tied by tradition to the apostle John
History
- Founded
- An ancient Greek city, refounded in the Hellenistic period and flourishing under Rome
- Population
- Estimated approximately 100,000 residents in the 1st century AD, one of the principal cities of Roman Asia
- Industry
- Major Aegean seaport and trade hub
- Coordinates
- 38.4189° N, 27.1378° E
Archaeology
Because modern İzmir sits directly atop ancient Smyrna, most of the classical city is inaccessible to archaeologists. The main excavated area is the Roman-era Agora, rebuilt under Marcus Aurelius after a devastating AD 178 earthquake, revealing a west portico, basilica, and bath. The specific location of the 1st-2nd century Christian community addressed in Revelation has not been separately identified.
Scripture references
- Revelation 1:11
- Revelation 2:8-11
On a modern map
Further reading
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