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Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, ''A Greek-English Lexicon'', at Perseus project</ref> 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.<ref>[[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 16:14.</ref> Among the ancient ruins of the city, [[inscription]]s have been found relating to the guild of dyers in the city. Indeed, more guilds 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).<ref>W.M. Ramsey, ''The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia'', (Hodder, 1904), pp. 324-35.</ref>
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 the [[Book of Revelation]].<ref>[[Book of Revelation|Rev.]] 1:11; 2:18-28.</ref> According to Revelation, a woman named Jezebel (who called herself a prophetess) taught and seduced the Christians of Thyateira to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.<ref>[[Book of Revelation|Rev.]] 2:20</ref> However, some commentators such as Benson and Doddridge have concluded that what is being here practised in Thyatira is the same apostasy promoted in 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"
The [[Apostle Paul]] and [[Silas]] might have visited Thyateira during Paul's second or third journey, although the evidence is entirely circumstantial. They visited several small unnamed towns in the general vicinity during the second journey. While in [[Philippi]], Paul and Silas stayed with a woman named [[Lydia of Thyatira|Lydia]] from Thyateira, who continued to help them even after they were jailed and released.
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