Philadelphia hadn't been successful in
civilizing the barbarians with their Greek
culture, but its citizens were given the
opportunity of spreading the gospel, for
Philadelphia was the gateway of that great
area.

At one time they had changed the name of
the city to NeoCaesarea "The New Town of
Caesar". But returned to the old name, even
though the people understood the meaning
of Jesus' promise to give them a new name.
"I will write upon him a new name."
Revelation 3:12