Philadelphia

Philadelphia (Greek: Φιλαδελφία or Φιλαδελφεῖα) or Filadelfiya, one of the cities of the decapolis formed by 10 cities located within the borders of ancient Lydia, in the interior of western Anatolia and also in the ancient Katakekaumene region. Historically a strategic and cultural crossroads, the settlement, situated at the foothills of the Tmolos (Bozdağlar) range, south of the Kogamis (Alaşehir River), was established on the main trade route between Sardis and Kolossai.

Today, the district of Alaşehir in Manisa Province lies on the site of this ancient city.

Foundation and etymology

The city was founded in the 2nd century BC by King Attalus II Philadelphos of Pergamon. The name "Philadelphia" (brotherly love) was given inspired by Attalus II's unwavering loyalty and affection for his brother Eumenes II. Due to the region's seismic activity, the city has been subjected to many destructive earthquakes throughout history. The famous geographer Strabo (63 BC – AD 23) recorded that in his time the city was almost completely in ruins, yet the city was known to rise again from its ashes each time.

Attalus III, the last ruler of the Attalid dynasty, bequeathed his kingdom to the Roman Republic in 133 BC because he had no heir. When Rome founded the province of Asia in 129 BC by combining Ionia and Pergamon territories, Philadelphia became an important center of that province. During this period, the city was also a significant settlement for the Hellenistic Jewish community, as evidenced by synagogues whose existence has been identified archaeologically.

After the great destruction during the reign of Emperor Tiberius, the city was rebuilt with Roman assistance and was given the name Neocaesarea (New Caesarea) as a token of gratitude. Later, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, it was also called Flavia, but with the Christianization of the city its Byzantine roots were restored and the original name Philadelphia began to be used again. Indeed, the historian Zosimos mentions the city by this name in his work Historia Nova from the early 6th century.

The city is also the place where the Angelos (Angelos dynasty) family, which played a role in the fate of the Byzantine Empire, originated.

Early Christianity and the "Seven Churches"

From the 1st century AD onward, Philadelphia became one of the important centers of early Christianity. The Philadelphia congregation, one of the "Seven Churches of Asia" (the communities to which the Seven Letters were sent) mentioned in the Book of Revelation, was praised for its perseverance and steadfast faith in the face of Christian persecutions (Revelation 3:7–13).

Byzantine–Ottoman transition

Philadelphia held the distinction of being the last point of resistance of the Byzantine Empire in Asia Minor. Although the surrounding lands had been conquered by Turkish beyliks decades earlier, the city maintained its autonomous structure until 1390. While it formally recognized the authority of the Basileus (Emperor) in Constantinople on paper, the city actually pursued an independent and neutral policy with the support of Catalan mercenaries within the governor's administration. Although it was obliged to pay taxes to the Germiyanids and the Aydinids, it managed to keep Turkish forces outside its walls.

The city's final conquest was carried out by Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I (the Thunderbolt). During this siege, the fact that Byzantine Emperor Manuel II had to accompany the Ottoman army is an ironic detail of history. After the Battle of Ankara (1402), the ensuing Interregnum and Timur's invasion shook the city, which only definitively came under Ottoman rule during the reign of Murad II. Under Ottoman administration, the city took the name "Alaşehir" and the Muslim population became the majority.

The Hidden Metropolis and the Orthodox Diaspora

In 1577, Gabriel Severos, a priest of the San Giorgio dei Greci Church in Venice, was appointed Metropolitan of Philadelphia by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Jeremias II Tranos. However, because Severos could not reach his jurisdiction for twelve years, the Patriarch declared the Exarch (patriarchal representative) of the Orthodox Greeks in Veneto and Dalmatia. This situation initiated the tradition of exempting Philadelphia Metropolitans from the requirement to reside in their own diocese (area of responsibility).

Cultural heritage and modern traces

Despite Timur's destruction of many Christian communities in Anatolia, the community in Philadelphia miraculously survived. It is documented that a Christian congregation lived in the city until the early 20th century. The Greeks who left Alaşehir as a result of the 1923 population exchange founded the Nea Filadelfia quarter north of Athens in order to keep the city's name alive.