Pergamon Asclepieion

At the base of the impressive acropolis of Pergamon was the massive healing center of Asclepius. People traveled great distances to this ancient medical center in hopes they would be healed of any number of diseases. Typical treatment included rest, education, diet changes, mild exercise, attendance at upbeat plays or events in the small theater, some medications, surgery, and finally, a deep sleep in the dark chamber where the gods might have a message for a patient. Other communities had similar healing centers, but the facility at Pergamon was one of the most well known in the Roman empire. The rod of Asclepius, a snake-entwined staff, is still used as a symbol of medicine today. Coming to an Asclepieion was a matter of faith and required an offering to the gods. If faced with illness, new Christians in Pergamon would have been in a dilemma. Should they seek healing from one of the best medical centers in Asia, or trust only in Christ for their healing? It would have been one of many ways in which the local church began to stand out from its culture. In Pergamon, that became very difficult, even leading to the death of one of the earliest Christ followers (Revelation 2:13).