Join us for an exploration of the archaeological history of an ancient capital that became a historic Christian city.

Sardis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known from the Bible as one of the seven cities of Revelation. But before that, it was the capital of Lydia, a legendary ancient empire where coinage was first invented. Excavations at this ancient Turkish city have revealed major changes in pagan sanctuaries during the fourth and fifth centuries AD—a period shaped by the recognition and spread of Christianity in the eastern Roman Empire.

For the last 18 years, University of Wisconsin– Madison professor Nick Cahill has directed the excavations at Sardis. In this lecture, he will reflect on what he has learned through decades of fieldwork.