It was an ancient Greek city called
Pelopia () and
Semiramis (), before it was renamed to Thyateira (Θυάτειρα), during the Hellenistic era in 290 BC, by the King
Seleucus I Nicator. He was at war with
Lysimachus when he learned that his wife had given birth to a daughter. According to
Stephanus of Byzantium, he called this city "Thuateira" from Greek θυγάτηρ, θυγατέρα (
thugatēr,
thugatera), meaning "daughter", although it is likely that it is an older, Lydian name. In classical times, Thyatira stood on the border between
Lydia and
Mysia. During the Roman era, (1st century AD), it was famous for its dyeing facilities and was a center of the purple cloth trade. Among the ancient ruins of the city,
inscriptions have been found relating to the guild of dyers in the city. Indeed, more guilds συντεχνία syntechnia (syndicate) are known in Thyatira than any other contemporary city in the Roman province of Asia (inscriptions mention the following: wool-workers, linen-workers, makers of outer garments, dyers, leather-workers, tanners, potters, bakers, slave-dealers, and bronze-smiths). In early Christian times, Thyateira was home to a significant Christian church, mentioned as one of the
seven Churches of the Book of Revelation. In Revelation, a character called Jezebel persuades the Christians of Thyateira to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to
idols. Some commentators such as Benson and Doddridge have concluded that what is being here practised in this prophetic Thyatira is the same
apostasy promoted in the
Kingdom of Israel by
Jezebel as mentioned in the
Books of Kings and that use of her name here is a direct reference to such. Indeed, as Doddridge notes, "the resemblance appears so great" that, in his view, it is the "same heresy which is represented". According to Acts of the Apostles, the
Apostle Paul and
Silas visit
Philippi during Paul's second or third journey. While there, Paul and Silas meet a woman named
Lydia of Thyatira who hosts them to meet church members. In 366, a
battle fought near Thyateira saw the army of
Roman emperor Valens defeat
Roman usurper Procopius. ==Notable people==