Asklepieion of Pergamon
The healing sanctuary where Galen trained, in the city of Revelation 2
Found 1928 — Theodor Wiegand and the German Archaeological Institute (1927–1939), with Bergama Museum director Osman Bayatlı; further work by Oskar Ziegenaus and Gioia de Luca (1958–1969)
Where Asklepieion, west of Bergama (Turkey)
Dates from Founded 4th century BCE; monumental rebuilding c. 130–160 CE · Hellenistic–Roman · Message to Pergamum (Revelation 2)
Now at In situ; finds in Bergama Museum
How Asklepieion of Pergamon was found
Wiegand's campaigns moved from the acropolis down to the plain, uncovering the colonnaded Sacred Way, the round Temple of Zeus-Asklepios, the treatment building, the theatre, and the underground tunnel. Statues and reliefs from the Sacred Way went to Bergama Museum.
What it is
A walled sanctuary reached by an 820 m colonnaded street, with a propylon, a library, three stoas, a 3,500-seat theatre, sacred springs and pools, a round temple copied from the Pantheon, and an 80 m vaulted tunnel leading to a two-storey circular treatment hall. Patients slept in the sanctuary hoping for healing dreams from the serpent-god Asklepios.
Why it matters for the Bible
The serpent staff of Asklepios was Pergamum's badge on coins. Many readers see it behind John's 'Satan's throne' and the 'ancient serpent' imagery, though the letter never names it. The Asklepieion was one of the empire's great hospitals; Galen, the most famous physician of antiquity, trained here from age 16 (c. 145 CE). It shows the religious world of healing and dreams that competed with the assemblies' witness to the God who heals.
The Hebrew word: re-foo-AH
רְפוּאָה
רְפוּאָה is pronounced re-foo-AH and means healing, remedy — YHVH as 'rofe' (healer) stands against the serpent-god's cures (Strong's H7499).
Places
- Pergamum — פֶּרְגָמוֹן (per-GAH-mon) — Greek Pergamon
Events
Message to the assembly at Pergamum
Asklepieion of Pergamon in Scripture
Revelation 1:11 One of only 2 verses that name Pergamos.
Revelation 2:12 One of only 2 verses that name Pergamos.
Questions people ask
What is Asklepieion of Pergamon?
A walled sanctuary reached by an 820 m colonnaded street, with a propylon, a library, three stoas, a 3,500-seat theatre, sacred springs and pools, a round temple copied from the Pantheon, and an 80 m vaulted tunnel leading to a two-storey circular treatment hall. Patients slept in the sanctuary hoping for healing dreams from the serpent-god Asklepios.
When was Asklepieion of Pergamon discovered?
It was found in 1928 by Theodor Wiegand and the German Archaeological Institute (1927–1939), with Bergama Museum director Osman Bayatlı; further work by Oskar Ziegenaus and Gioia de Luca (1958–1969), at Asklepieion, west of Bergama.
Where is Asklepieion of Pergamon today?
In situ; finds in Bergama Museum.
Which Bible verses does Asklepieion of Pergamon relate to?
Revelation 1:11, Revelation 2:12.
Related discoveries
- אֱלִילִיםRed Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), PergamonHadrian's giant brick temple to Serapis and Isis, later a church of St John
- כִּסֵּא הַשָּׂטָןGreat Altar of Pergamon ('Satan's Throne')The monumental Zeus altar many link to Revelation's 'where Satan's throne is'
- כִּסֵּאAcropolis of Pergamon: Trajaneum, Library and TheatreThe hill-top of imperial cult and learning above 'Satan's throne'
- פּוֹשֵׁרLaodicea: Lukewarm Water and the Early ChurchCalcified pipes, the Hierapolis hot springs, and a 4th-century church in the city that was 'neither hot nor cold'
- עַמּוּדPhiladelphia (Alaşehir): Basilica of St John and City WallsThree brick pillars in a city that promised its faithful a 'pillar in the temple'
- מְלָאכָהThyatira: Tepe Mezarlığı and Hastane Höyüğü ExcavationsThe colonnaded street and mounds of Lydia's city of craft guilds
Sources
- Asclepieion of Pergamon (Turkish Archaeological News)
- Asklepieion, Pergamon (Perseus site catalogue)
- Theodor Wiegand (Wikipedia)