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The City of Smyrna [Modern Izmir]

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Smyrna in the province of Ionia, was a major seat of Roman jurisdiction. A kind of Rome from Rome.

It, was a prominent wealthy trading port  and a city of architectural brilliance, but in heavy downpours, inadequate sewers gave rise to flooding and sewage fowling the streets.

In the adjacent countryside were extensive luscious vineyards. Its inhabitants were decadently hedonistic, noted for gluttony, drunkenness and for the orgastic temple rights to the "Mother of all Gods" Aphrodite Stratonice. Stratonice was the mother of Antiochus whom they deified. The Roman name for Aphrodite was Venus, the goddess  of love.

There was a temple dedicated to Tiberius. Also, as the representative of all the cities of ancient Asia Minor (which is now western Turkey), Nero granted the Smyrna the right to erect a temple in his honour, in honour of the senate and Roma (the personification of the city of Rome).On the temple was the inscription "the Saviour of the whole human race"

In their pagan mysteries the god Dionysus (the god of wine and intoxication) is represented as dying a violent death and rising again [Revelation 2:8].  Annual mysteries and games were celebrated every year in his honour. His priest was presented with a crown at the end of his year of office.

The city had stadia, where the Olympic games were celebrated, a large public library and museum, consecrated to Homer, and a temple to Zeus, the ruler of the gods who was supposed to live on mount Olympus. The games were followed with intense fervour by the citizens. Not to do so was considered unpatriotic and anti-social.

The corrupt in the Jewish community were very patriotic to the city and Rome. They sided with the Greeks in condemning Christians for being antisocial. [Rev.2:9]. In AD 155 aged Polycarp was condemned and executed for refusing to denounce the Lord Jesus.

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