This is actually interesting, if somewhat nutty … here’s a relevant excerpt to get you to ‘make the jump’:
The Altar’s notoriety in Christian circles stems from the aforementioned possible reference in the Book of Revelation 2:12–13:
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.Dr Volker Kästner is a leading archæologist specialising in the city of Pergamon. He has worked at the Pergamon Museum since 1982 and has been heavily involved in its continuing restoration. For him, the idea that Pergamon is “where Satan’s seat is” can be explained: “Pergamon was seen by Byzantine sources as a particularly pagan place where unchristian cults thrived, and with some imagination the Altar could resemble a throne. Secondly, the Altar’s frieze encompasses many sculpted snakes, which since Antiquity have been viewed as a symbol connected to the underworld, representing something inhuman – but it’s all speculation.”
The article goes on to mention the altar as backdrop to his DNC acceptance speech as well, which is interesting insofar as that is what it reminded ME (innocently … no Satanic overtones) of when we mentioned it, although I might be confusing events. I hadn’t found the CBS item mentioned in the Fortean Times footnotes which also made the connection …
rogueclassicism 