Meaning of LAODICEA

Initially called Diospolis, city of Zeus. Probably enlarged by Antiochus II (261-246 BC), who named it after his wife Laodice.

Capital of Phrygia Pacatiana, in Asia Minor, somewhat south of Colossae and Hierapolis on the Lycus tributary of the Meander.
In Laodicea, fabrics were made with black wool from sheep raised in those places. There was a medical center there where the famous Phrygian powder was prepared for the treatment of ophthalmia.

Laodicea was home to numerous Jews (Ant. 14:10, 20). Epaphras, probable founder of the church in Laodicea, worked in this city (Col. 4:12, 13). Paul carried out intense spiritual combat on behalf of those in Laodicea (Col. 2:1). He sent them his greetings (Col. 4:15). There are those who believe that the epistle mentioned in verse 16 could be a copy of the epistle to the Ephesians.

Laodicea is one of the seven churches in Asia to which the Apocalypse is addressed. The lively reproaches that are leveled refer in particular to the wealth and products of the city (Rev. 1:11; 3:14-22).

Around the year 60 AD. An earthquake destroyed Laodicea, Colossae and Hierapolis. The Laodiceans rebuilt their city without resorting to Roman help. Its ruins are located in Eski Hissar, 88 km east-southeast of Izmir.