Colossae

An important city for more than a thousand years—from 500 BC to AD 600. It was located in the southwestern part of what is now Turkey. Originally it was on the main road from Ephesus to the east, but the Romans changed the road, and the city became less important. What was left of the city was destroyed by the Turks in the twelfth century AD. No one lives there now, but archaeologists have uncovered some of its ruins. The church at Colossae probably was begun by Epaphras, a friend of Paul, while Paul was living at Ephesus during his third missionary journey. The church met in Philemon’s home. Most of the Christians at Colossae were Gentiles.