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Pergamon 425 pictures 12.50 minutes HQ video The first historical registration about Pergamon was found from Xenophon. It was on the return of Xenophon to pergamon, from a journey in Anatolia, Xenophon occupied the town from 400 to 399 B.C. For 150 years, Pergamon was one of the most brilliant cultural centers of the Hellenistic era. When Alexander the Great came to Asia Minor in 334 B.C., the governor of Pergamon showed respect to him. After the death of Eumenes I, Attalos I became the king. He was deeply interested in art and culture. The first beautiful buildings to appear in the city were erected in his reign. He defeated the Galatians, and the people gave him the name Soter (rescuer). Upon the death of Attalos I, his oldest son Eumenes II became the king. Being well aware of the refined politics his father pursued, he continued to have friendly relations with Rome. Eumenes II raised Pergamon to the level of the most splendid cities of the Greek world of his time, by using the Athenian acropolis as a model. Pergamon led the world of Hellenistic times in the fields of architecture and sculpture. It continued to be a very important center during the Roman Period. Augustus re-erected the monuments of the Kingdom period commemorating victories. Hadrian completed the Trajaneum, Caracalla finished the temple of Dionysus. The city became the center of a diocese in the Christian era. Temple of Trajan It seems that the temple was erected to Trajan (98-117 A.D.) by his successor Hadrian, both emperors were worshipped here. The temple sat on a high podium with 6x10 columns. This level area was the highest point of the acropolis. The semi-circle shaped sitting bank of the exedra is connected with the base of a statue in that one. In the temple were discovered two colossal marble statues of Trajan and Hadrian. The Walls During the periods of Eumenes I and Attalos I, the city walls were not widened. During the reign of Eumene II, the city walls were enlarged towards the plain that laid on the south and west. The walls surrounded the city about 4 km. Water Supply click on the picture to enlarge On the end of the arsenal area may be seen the remains from the second century A.D. acueduct which helped supply the growing population and the great new baths. Earlier in the Hellenistic period, water was supplied by terracotta pipeline in 240,000 sections running from Madara Dag on the north to the spurs of the mountains opposite the citadel. Theater The theater was built in the Hellenistic period, during the reign of Eumenes II. The theater, with its capacity of 10,000 spectators was divided into three parts by two diazomas. Just above the center of the lower landing was the King's box, which was made of marble. The stage was made of wood in Hellenistic period. It was erected only on the days of performance and was afterwards dismantled. Temple of Dionysus The temple was built in the 2^nd century B.C. The temple of Dionysus is a prostyle of the Ionic order, rising on a richly profiled podium. The dimensions of its stylobat are 20x12 meters, and there are 25 steps in front of it. In Roman times, the temple of Dionysus also underwent changes. Altar of Zeus The altar of Zeus is dating from the Hellenistic period, probably during the reign of Eumenes II (197-159 B.C.). The terrace, having an entrance at the east, measured 69x77 meters. This monument was the largest and most important building in Pergamon on that time. The altar of Zeus consisted of a marble offering-table, set on a three-tiered podium, surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped stoa of the Ionic order. In the altar, the sacrifices were slaughtered at the lower part, then taken to the upper part where they were burnt and given to the god. Pieces of this monument were taken to Berlin Museum. Temple of Serapis (Egyptian Gods) The temple was founded in the 2^nd century A.D., during the reign of the emperor Hadrian. The temple, together with the large courtyard lying in front of it, covers an area of 260x100 meters. The main structure of the temple consists of a building of the basilica type- rectangularly-planned monumental building and two tower-like round building, added to both sides. The Selinus River, ran beneath the courtyard along two canals. In the Byzantine period the temple was converted into a church. Temenos of Demeter The temenos of Demeter occupies an area of approximately 100x50 meters, on an extensive rectangular terrace. Between the upper gymnasium and the temenos there is a gate, square with a fountain and a sacrificial pit. The fountain and the sacrificial pit were essential features of the Demeter cult and were instituted earlier in the Kingdom period. In the sacred place, reserved for Demeter and her daughter Kore, the first ancient temple over the rocky place remained in its own place, whereas terrace was many times enlarged towards the south Upper Gymnasium The upper gymnasium was erected on a terrace measuring approximately 200 x 45 meters. The present ruins are largely those of restorations carried out during the Roman period. The main building of the upper gymnasium consisted of stoas, which surrounded a courtyard on four sides. The most important rooms were in the northern stoa. The Ephebeion The most important room in the gymnasium is the middle room the 'Ephebeion'. All major ceremonies took place here. The Gymnasium's Baths Asklepion Asklepion is on the west of Pergamon. The sacred area of Epidauros in Greece was brought to Pergamon in the 4^th century B.C. This therapeutic center was of the same type as the one in Kos- a big health center. Most of the remains today of this center belong to the changes that were carried out by Emperor Hadrian. Golden Ear (Symbol of Asklepion) Sacred Way This road was 820 meters in length. It was flanked by columns. Close to the mid-point of this colonnaded street and overlooking the south colonnade, there is a round building, which is doubtless a sepulchral monument. Cryptocorpus (sacred passageway) The tunnel, from the Roman period, is leading to the treatment building. Theater A Roman theater with a capacity of 3,500 people. The theater which was constructed by dressing the stones is semi-circular. The first three rows below the middle row were reserved for persons of rank. There are two doors that connect to the northern gallery. The orchestra is ornamented by colorful marble and is in a semi-circular shape. Round Building This building was built in the Roman period. At the courtyard of the building is a pool covered with marble sheets. The building reserved for medical treatment, is a two-storied cylindrical structure, with six apses inside and covered by a wooden roof overlaid with tiles. Back to Turkey Index