Sardis

Sardis was the ancient capital of the Lydian kingdom and one of the great cities of Asia Minor, situated in the Hermus valley at the foot of Mount Tmolus, about 50 miles east of Smyrna and 30 miles south of Thyatira. In its golden age under King Croesus (sixth century BC), Sardis was one of the wealthiest cities in the world; the nearby Pactolus River deposited electrum (a gold-silver alloy) that funded its legendary riches. The city fell to the Persian Cyrus in 547 BC through a surprise attack that became proverbial for overconfidence. In the New Testament, Sardis was one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation (Rev. 3:1–6). The letter to Sardis contains the most severe assessment of any of the seven churches: "You have a name that you are alive, and you are dead." The church was called to wake up, strengthen what remains, and repent — language that may echo the city's own historical reputation for falling through sleepy overconfidence. The ruins of Sardis, now called Sert-Kalessi, include impressive remains of a temple to Artemis.