Archaeologists in Turkey have unearthed a Roman council hall dating back more than two millennia, featuring early Christian symbols linked to the Book of Revelation's apocalyptic warnings.
Excavations in the ancient city of Laodicea revealed carvings of a cross and the Chi-Rho monogram, a sign formed from the first two letters of “Christ” in the ancient Greek language.
The discovery reinforces Laodicea’s role as one of the seven early Christian communities outlined in Revelation, providing researchers with fresh insight into the spread of the Christian faith in the region.
Due to the Roman council hall being constructed in 50 BC, researchers believe that Christians may have carved the symbols onto it hundreds of years after the building was erected.
The discovery reinforces Laodicea’s role as one of the seven early Christian communities outlined in Revelation
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The council hall, referred to as a bouleuterion, operated as Laodicea’s political and judicial hub, with the capacity to seat over 800 people.
The Book of Revelation contains apocalyptic visions as well as messages addressed to several early Christian congregations.
One passage directs the apostle John to record his vision and share it with seven churches, saying: "What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea."
Another section specifically criticises the residents of Laodicea for their half-hearted commitment to faith and urges them to show greater devotion.
The council hall, referred to as a bouleuterion, operated as Laodicea’s political and judicial hub, with the capacity to seat over 800 people
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The Book of Revelation is believed to have been inscribed by John at the end of the first century AD, setting out vivid apocalyptic visions and addresses seven early Christian communities, including Laodicea.
The text is often is often regarded as a source of encouragement for Christians living under Roman persecution and contains dramatic imagery of judgment, conflict and triumph.
One passage in the Book of Colossians suggested that the ancient city of Laodicea served as Christian centre in the faith's early days, believed to have been established by Epaphras, a disciple of the Apostle Paul.
Colossians 4:13-16 reads: "For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea."
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The remarkable discovery has provided historians with greater proof that Laodicea played a key administrative role in Roman society
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The remarkable discovery has provided historians with greater proof that Laodicea played a key administrative role in Roman society.
Excavations around the Roman building also uncovered a headless statue of Emperor Trajan, along with seats marked with inscriptions identifying elders, young men, local residents council members and civic leaders.
Some archaeologists have suggested the markings may have served as a system of reserved seating, providing researchers with clues surrounding the format of the city's governing body.
Laodicea became part of the Roman world following Rome's victory over the Seleucid Empire and expansion into western Turkey during the second century BC.
The presence of Christian symbols in the council hall indicates that followers of the faith were becoming more established in Laodicea by the second to fourth centuries, even while suffering persecution at the hands of the Romans.
Christians were granted the freedom to worship by Emperor Constantine following the Edict of Milan in 313 AD.
The move not only legalised the religion, but enabled the widespread use of symbols such as the Chi-Rho throughout the Roman world.
Laodicea was under the control of the Romans from around 133 BC until its decline in the seventh century AD.