proudly refused imperial aid and rebuilt their destroyed buildings out of the city’s own resources. In the year 100, just a few years after John’s vision and messages, another earthquake destroyed Laodicea; once again, the city was rebuilt without outside help. The sources of the city’s wealth and fame were many. Among them, however, three stood out: banking; a product known as “Phrygian powder,” from which a medicinal eye salve was made; and a shiny black wool from which luxurious black apparel