Meaning of SMYRNA

"myrrh". This city, of great antiquity, rose on the western coast of Asia Minor. It belonged to the Ionian Confederation. Around the year 580 B.C. It was destroyed by Aliates, king of Lydia, and remained in ruins for about 200 years.

Alexander the Great planned
the reconstruction of it, which his immediate successors carried out on another site. The new Smyrna became a great commercial city, maintaining its arrogance in Roman times.

The city became a part of the province of Asia, which the Romans annexed in 133 BC, and organized between 129 and 126. The church of Smyrna is the second of the seven churches of Asia Minor, to which directed by the apostle John in the Apocalypse.

He does not reproach her for anything, but rather exhorts her to remain steadfast in the persecution (Rev. 1:11; 2:8-11). Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, suffered martyrdom there, probably in 169 AD. In the year 178 AD. An earthquake destroyed the city, which was quickly rebuilt.

Located on a magnificent natural harbor, and on an important communication route, Izmir was an ideal city for trade.