Jesus Speaks: Luxurious Laodicea Chapter 16

Welcome to this chapter on Laodicea. In order to fully grasp the message to Laodicea, it is important to delve into both its cultural history in the Graeco-Roman context and its theological roots in the Hebraic-Semitic tradition. This chapter will provide an overview of the historical background of Laodicea, a city known for its prosperity in the textile industry and its renowned medical school.

The name of the city, Laodicea, is derived from Laodice, the wife of Seleucid Antiochus II, who founded the city in the third century BC. However, it is worth noting that Antiochus II divorced his wife in 253 BC. Situated in the fertile Lycus River valley, Laodicea is located approximately 53 miles southeast of Philadelphia, six miles south of Hierapolis, and ten miles west of Colossae in the southwest region of ancient Phrygia. During the Roman period, it fell within the boundaries of Caria.

Join us as we delve further into the cultural, historical and archaeological context of Laodicea to uncover the significance of this city and its message.

Video Introduction

The Exegesis of Laodicea LINK

THE GEOGRAPHY OF LAODICEA .....p. 426

Fig. 134. Map of the modern area around Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Colossae, identifying the cold and thermal springs.

THE HISTORY OF LAODICEA .....p. 429

Under Seleucid control .....p. 429

Under Pergamene control .....p. 430
Under Roman control (133 BC–AD 660) ..... p. 430

Fig. 135. Coin from Laodicea ad Lycum with the head of Polemon, the son of Zenon.
Fig. 136. Coin from Laodikeia ad Lycum, with Dioskourides and Zeus.
Fig. 137. Urban plan of the city of Laodicea

Under Byzantine control .....p. 435

THE POPULATION OF LAODICEA .....p. 436

THE IMPORTANT BUILDINGS OF LAODICEA ..... p. 437

The city gates (no. 1, 2, 3, 32) .....p. 438
Fig. 138. The Frontinus gate at Hieropolis built during the time of Domitian.
The north state agora ......p. 438
The water system .....p. 439
Fig. 139. The north state agora in Laodicea.....p. 439
Fig. 140. Water distribution tower (castellum aquae), terminal 1 at Laodicea.
Fig. 141. Map of the modern area around Laodicea.
Fig. 142. Closeup of the water distribution tower, terminal 1.
Fig. 143. Ground level aqueduct at Laodicea.
The nymphaeums .....p. 444
Fig. 144. The nymphaeum of Perga.
Fig. 145. The overgrown Ladoicean stadium.
The stadium (no. 4) .....p. 446
The temples .....p. 447
Temple A, AD 26–60 (no. 18) .....p. 447
Fig. 146. The restored Temple A.
The theaters .....p. 449
Fig. 147. West theater with the white traverstine cliffs of Hieropolis.
Fig. 148. The north theater in 1838.
The bouleuterion (no. 7) .....p. 450
The south gymnasium/bath (no. 5) .....p. 451
Fig. 149. The south Gymnasium/Bath complex arches at Laodicea.
Central baths (no. 16) ......p. 451
Fig. 150. The Central Bath.
The necropolis .....p. 452

THE COMMERCE OF LAODICEA .....p. 452

Medical center and ophthalmology .....p. 452
Fig. 151. Coin with the head of Augustus and Zeus holding an eagle.
Textile industry and wool .....p. 456
Fig. 152. Reconstruction of a vertical loom with genuine loom weights.
Fig. 153. The tomb of Flavius Zeuxis at Hierapolis.
The financial world at Laodicea .....p. 460
Fig. 154. Votive stele of Zeus Ktesios Patrios from Laodicea.

THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY OF LAODICEA ..... p. 462

The gods of Laodicea .....p. 462
Fig. 155. Column A with the relief of Laodicea (Fortuna/Tyche).
Fig. 156. Coin with bust of Demos with Zeus Laodiceus holding an eagle.
Fig. 157. Marble altar to Zeus Ktesios Patrios.
Fig. 158. Coin with bust of Domitian with Hera facing Zeus Laodiceus, and Athena.
Fig. 159. The third cent. AD votive stele of Zeus Laodikeus.
Fig. 160. Column B with relief of Apollo, two griffins, and Fortuna (Tyche).
The imperial cult .....p. 468
Fig. 161. Neōkorōs coin of Laodicea ad Lycum with Ailios Pisoneinos, asiarch.
Fig. 162. Coin wtih the statues of Caracalla, Zeus and Asclepius.
Fig. 163. Neōkorōs coin of Laodicea ad Lycum with bust of Caracalla.
The Jewish community .....p. 470
Fig. 164. Column from Laodicea with an inscribed menorah, lulav, shophar and a cross.
The Christian community .....p. 471