The modern city of İzmir is built directly on top of ancient Smyrna. Because of this, only limited archaeological excavation is possible today. Many ancient buildings lie buried beneath modern streets and houses, making large-scale research very difficult. Despite these challenges, scholars have been able to learn much about Smyrna’s later history through written sources and the remains that are still visible.
In the seventh century, Smyrna faced serious attacks from Arab forces. The city was captured in the years 654 and again in 672. These events caused great damage and insecurity. Even so, Smyrna continued to exist and recover. During the period of Lascarid rule, between 1204 and 1261, the city remained one of the largest urban centers in the region. It was also the most important harbor of western Anatolia at that time, playing a key role in trade and communication Ancient Smyrna The Beginnings of the City.
Research has shown that some fragments of Byzantine masonry on Mount Pagus (today’s Kadifekale) actually date back much earlier, to the Roman and even Hellenistic periods. This shows that later builders reused older structures and materials, and that the site had been continuously occupied for many centuries.
The Agora of Smyrna
One of the most impressive surviving monuments from ancient Smyrna is the Agora. The ruins of the western stoa, dating to the second century CE, are among the best-preserved remains. The Agora was the center of public life, where people gathered for trade, social meetings, and official business. Even in later periods, the Agora continued to be an important part of the city.
The Letter to the Church in Smyrna
Smyrna holds a special place in Christian history because it is one of the Seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. In Revelation 2:8–11, St John addresses a message to the church in Smyrna. In this letter, Jesus is described as “the first and the last, who once died but came to life again.” This introduction emphasizes both eternal existence and victory over death.
The letter speaks of the suffering and poverty of the Christian community in Smyrna, while also declaring that they are spiritually rich. It mentions slander, imprisonment, and persecution, warning believers that they will face hardship for a limited time. However, they are encouraged not to be afraid and to remain faithful, even until death. Those who endure are promised “the crown of life” and protection from what is called the “second death Travel Ottoman Bulgaria.”
Meaning of “The First and the Last”
In his letter to the church in Smyrna, St John uses powerful titles for Jesus that appear throughout the Book of Revelation. The expression “the first and the last” is repeated later as “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
This imagery comes from a Greek way of thinking in which the alphabet represents the totality of existence. By using these words, the text expresses the belief that God contains all reality within Himself. Everything else exists only because of God and does not have true being on its own. In Christian faith, this language emphasizes the eternal and complete nature of the divine world.
Through this message, the church in Smyrna is reminded that suffering is temporary, faithfulness has meaning, and eternal life stands beyond present hardship.
