Sardis

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c. 1500 BC

Prehistory

There is an early settlement at Sardis, with pottery indicating influence of Mycenaean Greece and the Hittites.

7th Century AD

Sardis Becomes the Capital of Lydia

From Sardis, kings such as the famously rich Croesus ruled the Lydian Empire, which encompassed most of the western half of Asia Minor. Gold from the adjacent Pactolis River make the city wealthy, and its buildings are lavish and grand. The Lydians mint the first coins, made of electrum.

547 BC

Persian King Cyrus Conquers Sardis

After Croesus tries to take advantage of an uprising against the Persians to attack and take Persian territory, Persian King Cyrus II (The Great) meets and defeats Croesus in battle. The Persians destroy and later rebuild Sardis. They make it the capital of the Persian Satrapy of Sparda, the Persian name for Lydia. A Royal road is built between Persepolis, in Persia, and Sardis.

499 BC

The Ionian Greeks burn Sardis

During the Ionian Revolt against the Persians by the Greek settlements in the Aegean (western) part of Asia Minor, the Greek settlers attack and destroy Sardis. The Greek Ionian cities are attacked and destroyed in retribution.

334 BC

Alexander the Great Conquers Sardis

On his campaign across Asia Minor attacking the Persians, Alexander the Great takes Sardis without a fight. Alexander restores Lydian customs and laws.

323 BC

Alexander the Great Dies, His Generals Begin Fighting over Territory

Alexander the Great dies, and his generals divide the conquered territories between themselves, typically after going to war with each other to determine who gets what. For two centuries, Sardis changes hands between four of Alexander’s generals and their dynasties. The generals spread Greek culture, a process called Hellenization, and Sardis adopts Greek language, culture, and traditions. Buildings are now erected in the Greek style of architecture.

First Century BC

Jews are Settled in Sardis

King Antiochus III (The Great), the descendant of Seleucus (former general of Alexander the Great), settles some 2,000 Jewish families from Babylonia in Sardis. The Jews build the Sardis synagogue.

188 BC

Pergamene King Eumenes II Takes Sardis

Still fighting over territory, King Antiochus battles with an heir of another of Alexander the Great’s generals, Eumenes II, the King of Pergamum. His staunch ally, Rome, joins Eumenes. Antiochus loses the battle and, according to the Treaty of Apamea, surrenders all of his territory west of the Taurus Mountains, including Sardis, to Eumenes. Sardis is now in the Kingdom of Pergamum.

133 BC

The Romans Take Control of Sardis

Attalus III, the King of Pergamum, dies and leaves his entire kingdom, including Sardis, to the Romans, to prevent civil wars between contenders for the crown. Sardis thrives under Roman rule and receives three neocorate honors for keeping custody of temples in honor of deified Roman emperors. Sardis is on the Roman road network which solidifies its position as a commerical hub.

17 AD

Sardis Hit by Earthquake

Sardis suffers a devastating earthquake but receives financial help and tax breaks to rebuild the city from the emperor. The gymnasium complex is built.

96 AD

Sardis Addressed in the Book of Revelation

John (thought to be John the Apostle) writes the Book of Revelation while in exile on the island of Patmos. There he receives a series of visions, one in which Christ addresses the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. To Sardis, Christ says that they have a reputation of being “alive,” but are actually dead, with unfinished deeds, and that they should strengthen what remains, hold fast, and repent (Revelation 3:1—6).

330 AD

Constantinople Becomes the Roman Capital of the East

Constantine the Great founds Constantinople (today’s Istanbul). New road systems are built, which leave Sardis separated from the new lines of trade and communication. This causes it to become less important.

3rd Century AD