One of the most impressive ruins in Sardis is that of the Greek gymnasium and
Roman bathhouse. The gymnasium was the center of Greek culture, the means by
which they passed on their Hellenistic worldview that the human being, not God,
was the center of the universe. Within the gymnasium, students trained their
bodies and minds. They read literature about the Greek gods and studied
mathematics, philosophy, and medicine. They also enjoyed the pleasures and vices
of the Roman baths.
Audio: Truth's Foundation
Yet, in the corner of that immoral, self-glorifying gymnasium, archaeologists have uncovered the largest synagogue of that time period ever found! The presence of the synagogue in the gymnasium, as well as the presence of the defaced pagan symbols within the synagogue?a public fountain, a table with Roman eagles, and pairs of ions that typically represented the goddess Cybele?ask the question ?why?? Did the Jews of Sardis place their synagogue in the gymnasium in order to influence the pagan culture around them, or had they so adapted to the pagan way of life that they saw no discrepancy between worshiping God and participating in the activities of the gymnasium?
