This city of some 100,000 inhabitants, located some seventy kilometres north of Smyrna, was not as economically successful as Ephesus or Smyrna. Yet this city had considerable political influence since the Roman proconsul had his residence in this city. Pergamum was also a centre of art, culture, and learning. A significant part of the city was built on the top of a hill of some three hundred metres in height, including a temple dedicated to the Roman Caesar. Every inhabitant of the city was expected to offer a sacrifice to Caesar at least once per year. Scattered around the city were also numerous other temples to various gods.
12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.