The Temple of Artemis
The temple of Artemis in Sardis was one of the most impressive buildings in the city. It was likely started in the third century B.C. and went through three main building stages. The final stage of construction happened after the A.D. 17 earthquake.
The temple was 328 feet (100 meters) long and was surrounded by Hellenistic-style columns that had an Ionic design. Some of these columns survived the earthquake and were used when the temple was rebuilt in the Roman style after the earthquake and a later flood Synagogue and Gymnasium-Bathhouse in Sardis.
Roman Houses in Sardis
Recently, archaeologists found evidence of houses in Roman Sardis on the south side of the Marble Road, just south of the bath-gymnasium. These houses were terrace houses, which were modest in size and design. They had small courtyards and looked similar to the slope houses found in Ephesus. The way these houses were built and designed is typical of the buildings that John would have seen in Asia during his time, both for civic and religious purposes.
Philadelphia
The City of Philadelphia
The city of Philadelphia in the New Testament was located in the area that is now the modern town of Alasehir. This ancient city has never been excavated. The town of Alasehir today has a small population because it is still prone to earthquakes, just like it was in ancient times Private Tours Istanbul.
Seismic Activity in the Region
The famous geographer Strabo from the first century mentioned that the Meander Valley, where Philadelphia was located, was often affected by earthquakes. Even recently, in 1969, Alasehir experienced an earthquake near its epicenter.
