Capital of Lydia in Asia Minor
Once noted for beauty and wealth; now the miserable village of Sert-Kalessi (Rev. 3:1-6). It was the residence of Croesus, renowned for riches, and Cyrus, when he conquered it, B. C. 548, is said to have captured fabulous treasure there. Alexander captured it from the Persians, and it was again sacked and captured by Antiochus, B. C. 214. It was destroyed by an earthquake. A. D. 17, but was speedily rebuilt. The art of wool-dyeing was discovered there. Seat of one of the seven churches of Asia (Rev. 3:1).