Attalus is a name that appears in historical contexts rather than directly within the biblical text. However, understanding the historical and cultural backdrop of the biblical era can provide valuable insights into the world in which the events of the Bible unfolded. The name Attalus is most commonly associated with the rulers of Pergamum, a significant city in Asia Minor, which is modern-day Turkey. Pergamum is mentioned in the Book of Revelation as one of the seven churches to which John writes (Revelation 2:12-17).

Historical Context

The Attalid dynasty, named after its founder Attalus I, ruled Pergamum from 241 BC until 133 BC. Attalus I (reigned 241–197 BC) was the first of the Attalid kings to assume the title of king. He is known for his victory over the Galatians, a Celtic people who had settled in Asia Minor, and for his subsequent declaration of independence from the Seleucid Empire. His reign marked the beginning of Pergamum's rise as a significant cultural and political center in the Hellenistic world.

Attalus III, the last king of Pergamum, bequeathed his kingdom to the Roman Republic upon his death in 133 BC, leading to the establishment of the Roman province of Asia. This act of bequeathal significantly influenced the political landscape of the region during the New Testament period.

Pergamum in the New Testament

Pergamum is one of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation. The message to the church in Pergamum highlights the city's cultural and religious challenges, as it was a center of pagan worship and imperial cults. Revelation 2:13 states, "I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits. Yet you have held fast to My name and have not denied your faith in Me, even in the days when My faithful witness, Antipas, was killed among you, where Satan dwells."

The reference to "the throne of Satan" is often interpreted as an allusion to the prominent altar of Zeus in Pergamum or the city's role as a center of emperor worship. The mention of Antipas, a faithful witness who was martyred, underscores the challenges faced by early Christians in maintaining their faith amidst persecution and idolatry.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The Attalid kings were known for their patronage of the arts and their contributions to the cultural and intellectual life of Pergamum. The city was home to a great library, second only to the Library of Alexandria, and was a center for the production of parchment, known as "pergamena" or "parchment" due to its association with Pergamum.

The religious landscape of Pergamum was diverse, with temples dedicated to various deities, including Zeus, Athena, and Dionysus. The city's religious pluralism and the presence of imperial cults posed significant challenges for the early Christian community, as reflected in the message to the church in Revelation.

Conclusion

While the name Attalus does not appear directly in the biblical text, the historical and cultural context of the Attalid dynasty and the city of Pergamum provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by early Christians. The legacy of the Attalid kings and the city's prominence in the Hellenistic and Roman worlds underscore the complex interplay of politics, religion, and culture during the New Testament period.Attalus

increased, nourished

ATTALUS

at'-a-lus: King of Pergamum, mentioned in 1 Maccabees 15:22 among the kings to whom was sent an edict (Ant., XIV, viii, 5) from Rome forbidding the persecution of the Jews. See ATTALIA.

825. Attaleia -- Attalia, a city of Pamphylia
... Word Origin from Attalos (Attalus, a king of Pergamum) Definition Attalia,
a city of Pamphylia NASB Word Usage Attalia (1). Attalia. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/825.htm - 6k

Rebellion of Attalus and his General Heraclean; and How He ...
... Book IX. Chapter VIII."Rebellion of Attalus and his General Heraclean; and
how he eventually craved Forgiveness at the Feet of Honorius. ...
/.../chapter viii rebellion of attalus and.htm

The Disturbance which the Greeks and Christians had About Attalus. ...
... Book IX. Chapter IX."The Disturbance which the Greeks and Christians had
about Attalus. The Courageous Saros; Alaric, by a Stratagem ...
/.../chapter ix the disturbance which the.htm

The vision which Appeared in a Dream to the Witness Attalus.
... Book V. Chapter III."The Vision which appeared in a Dream to the Witness
Attalus. 1. The same letter of the above-mentioned witnesses ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii the vision which appeared.htm

Affairs in the West
... He saw the investiture of the rhetorician puppet, Attalus"who was little more than
a frivolous ??sthete"with the imperial insignia, when Alaric thought to ...
/.../chapter lxx affairs in the.htm

Let Other Churches Also Send to Antioch.
... I salute all by name, and in particular the wife of Epitropus, with all her house
and children. I salute Attalus, my beloved. ... I salute Attalus, my beloved. ...
/.../chapter viii let other churches also.htm

The Second Trumpet.
... expedition against Italy, by which he reduced Honorius to such straits, that the
barbarian himself gave to Rome a new emperor of the name of Attalus, with whom ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the second trumpet.htm

The Number of those who Fought for Religion in Gaul under Verus ...
... was aroused exceedingly against Sanctus, the deacon from Vienne, [1370] and Maturus,
a late convert, yet a noble combatant, and against Attalus, a native of ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the number of those.htm

Pseud-Iren??us.
... wrath of mob, general, and soldiers fall on Sanctus, a deacon from Vienna, and on
Maturus, a newly-enlightened but noble combatant, and on Attalus, a native of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/pseud-irenaeus.htm

General Index to Socrates' Ecclesiastical History.
... Alaric, a barbarian chieftain, makes war against Rome, [51]157; takes and sacks
Rome, [52]158; proclaims one Attalus mock emperor, [53]158. ...
/.../general index to socrates ecclesiastical.htm

General Index to Sozomen's Ecclesiastical History.
... besieges Rome, [2499]422; raises the siege, [2500]423; again threatens the city,
and takes it, [2501]423; is made general, [2502]423; makes Attalus king, [2503 ...
/.../general index to sozomens ecclesiastical.htm

Attalus
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ATTALUS. at'-a-lus: King of Pergamum,
mentioned in 1 Maccabees 15:22 among the kings to whom was ...
/a/attalus.htm - 6k

Pergamos (1 Occurrence)
... The first of this dynasty to bear the title of king was Attalus I (241-197 BC),
a nephew of Philetaerus, and not only did he adorn the city with beautiful ...
/p/pergamos.htm - 12k

Pergamum (2 Occurrences)
... The first of this dynasty to bear the title of king was Attalus I (241-197 BC),
a nephew of Philetaerus, and not only did he adorn the city with beautiful ...
/p/pergamum.htm - 12k

Lydia (5 Occurrences)
... kings both of Pergamos and of Seleucia, but in 190 BC it became the undisputed
possession of the former (1 Maccabees 8:8). With the death of Attalus III, 133 BC ...
/l/lydia.htm - 12k

Epiphanes
... The Pergamene monarchs, Eumenes and Attalus, succeeded in placing upon the throne
the brother of Seleucus, although Heliodorus had wished to ascend the throne ...
/e/epiphanes.htm - 8k

Eumenes
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EUMENES II. u'-me-nez (Eumenes, "well-disposed"):
King of Pergamus, son and successor of Attalus I (197 BC). ...
/e/eumenes.htm - 7k

Philadelphia (2 Occurrences)
... interior. Its name was given to it in honor of Attalus II, because of his
loyalty to his elder brother, Eumenes II, king of Lydia. ...
/p/philadelphia.htm - 10k

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)
... Somewhat later the Greek city of Attalia, which was rounded by Attalus III Philadelphus
(159-138 BC), rose to importance, and until recent years has been the ...
/p/pamphylia.htm - 12k

Attali'a (1 Occurrence)
Attali'a. Attalia, Attali'a. Attalus . ... Acts 14:25 and having spoken in Perga
the word, they went down to Attalia, (See RSV). Attalia, Attali'a. Attalus > ...
/a/attali'a.htm - 6k

At-tashheth (1 Occurrence)
At-tashheth. Attalus, At-tashheth. Attempt . Multi-Version Concordance At-tashheth
(1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). Attalus, At-tashheth. Attempt . Reference Bible
/a/at-tashheth.htm - 6k

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