Laodicea on the Lycus

Laodicea occupied a strategic location near major roads through the Lycus Valley and developed into an important commercial and administrative city.

The city was known for considerable wealth and possessed theaters, baths, temples, public buildings, streets, and an extensive water-supply system. Ancient literary sources also associate the region with textile production and medical activity.

Laodicea suffered repeated earthquakes. Following a particularly destructive earthquake in the first century AD, ancient sources emphasize the city's ability to rebuild using its own resources, illustrating the prosperity and civic pride for which it was known.

Christianity became firmly established in the Lycus Valley during the first century and remained important there in subsequent centuries.

Ancient Laodicea on the Lycus is securely identified with the archaeological site of Laodikeia near modern Denizli in western Turkey.

Extensive excavation has uncovered monumental streets, theaters, baths, temples, churches, water systems, and other remains of the Roman and Byzantine city.

There is no serious geographical uncertainty concerning the identification, although individual archaeological structures should not automatically be assigned to particular events mentioned in the New Testament.