Red Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), Pergamon
Hadrian's giant brick temple to Serapis and Isis, later a church of St John
Found 1906 — Paul Schazmann (German survey, 1906–1909); excavated by Theodor Wiegand from 1927; re-studied by Adolf Hoffmann (DAI, 2002–2005); restoration 2006–2009
Where Kızıl Avlu, Bergama town centre (Turkey)
Dates from c. 120–140 CE; church from the 5th century · Roman Imperial · Generation after Revelation; pagan cults of Pergamum
Now at In situ; open-air museum, Bergama
How Red Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), Pergamon was found
The building never disappeared — it stood 19 m high in the middle of Bergama and was long used as a mosque and church. German scholars surveyed it, then Wiegand cleared the precinct and rotundas; Hoffmann's team identified the water channels and cult platform.
What it is
A red-brick hall 60 m long and 26 m wide, once marble-clad, flanked by two round towers 18 m high, inside a 270 by 100 m sacred court built on two vaulted tunnels that carry the Selinus river beneath it. A hollow cult statue base allowed a priest to speak from inside the image. Hadrian probably ordered it for Serapis, Isis and related Egyptian gods.
Why it matters for the Bible
Built a generation after Revelation, the Red Basilica shows how many cults competed in Pergamum: emperor, Zeus, Athena, Asklepios and now the gods of Egypt. Christian tradition later made one tower a church of St John, so the city's largest pagan temple was claimed for the author of the letter to Pergamum. It is the largest surviving Roman building in Asia Minor.
The Hebrew word: eh-lee-LEEM
אֱלִילִים
אֱלִילִים is pronounced eh-lee-LEEM and means idols, 'worthless things' — the prophets' word for gods like Serapis (Strong's H457).
People this discovery connects to
- John — יוֹחָנָן (yo-chah-NAHN) — YHVH is gracious
Places
- Pergamum — פֶּרְגָמוֹן (per-GAH-mon) — Greek Pergamon
Events
Message to the assembly at Pergamum · Spread of Egyptian cults in Asia
Red Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), 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 Red Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), Pergamon?
A red-brick hall 60 m long and 26 m wide, once marble-clad, flanked by two round towers 18 m high, inside a 270 by 100 m sacred court built on two vaulted tunnels that carry the Selinus river beneath it. A hollow cult statue base allowed a priest to speak from inside the image. Hadrian probably ordered it for Serapis, Isis and related Egyptian gods.
When was Red Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), Pergamon discovered?
It was found in 1906 by Paul Schazmann (German survey, 1906–1909); excavated by Theodor Wiegand from 1927; re-studied by Adolf Hoffmann (DAI, 2002–2005); restoration 2006–2009, at Kızıl Avlu, Bergama town centre.
Where is Red Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), Pergamon today?
In situ; open-air museum, Bergama.
Which Bible verses does Red Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), Pergamon relate to?
Revelation 1:11, Revelation 2:12.
Related discoveries
- כִּסֵּא הַשָּׂטָןGreat Altar of Pergamon ('Satan's Throne')The monumental Zeus altar many link to Revelation's 'where Satan's throne is'
- 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'
- מֹרAgora of Smyrna and the Basilica GraffitiThe civic centre of a church of Revelation, with the world's largest set of ancient Greek wall graffiti
- סְפָרַדSardis SynagogueThe largest ancient synagogue ever found, in the heart of a city of Revelation
- קְהִלָּהCuretes Street and the Library of Celsus, EphesusThe marble city Paul walked — with a landmark built a generation after him
- אַרְגָּמָןThyatira Dyers' Guild InscriptionsStones naming the purple-dyers of Lydia's home city
Sources
Open Red Basilica (Temple of the Egyptian Gods), Pergamon in Hebrew Explorer →