Biblical city
Sardis
Sart, Türkiye · Roman Asia Minor
Once the capital of the Lydian kingdom of Croesus, Sardis was wealthy and seemingly secure, yet twice fell to surprise attack. Revelation 3:1-6 warns the church there that it had a name for being alive while being dead. The site preserves a great temple of Artemis and one of the largest ancient synagogues yet excavated.
An artistic reconstruction of ancient Sardis, showing monumental civic buildings, a theatre, the Pactolus River, and the fortified acropolis above the city.
User-provided artwork; creator credit not supplied.
History in Scripture
Ancient capital of Lydia and of Croesus's legendary wealth, Sardis fell to Cyrus in 546 BC when its unguarded cliff was scaled. Revelation 3 tells its church it has a name for being alive but is dead, and warns it to watch.
The ancient city
Sardis minted some of the earliest coinage, sat at the head of the Persian royal road, and had a large Jewish community with one of the biggest ancient synagogues yet found.
The site today
The site near Sart, Türkiye, preserves the vast synagogue and gymnasium complex and the Temple of Artemis.
Key passages
Sources & notes
Description summarizes standard historical and archaeological reference works. Imagery is added separately and is labeled by type.