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 Perge  310 pictures
 12.46 minutes HQ video
Joined to the sea in ancient times by the Kestros River - navigable at the time - Perge is one of the most important and spectacular coastal towns; it is also famous from the religious point of view because it was here that St. Paul delivered his first sermon, and from the historic standpoint because it is the birth-place of the mathematician Apollonius, author of a famous treatise on geometry. The name Perge comes from an Anatolian dialect; nonetheless, in ancient times the townsmen believed that it had been founded by Greek heroes after the siege of Troy. The first settlement dates back to 1000 B.C. and was probably located on the acropolis. Subsequently, it extended to the underlying plain. Perge was a free and independent town until the arrival of Alexander the Great in 334 B.C; it was already walled at the time. It prospered during the Hellenistic and Roman eras; during the 2nd century B.C. it minted coins featuring the statue of Artemis of Perge, the major cult of the city. Having flourished during the first three centuries of imperial Rome, it went into a decline during the Byzantine era. Access is gained to the lower part of the town through three gates, of which the southern one, which dates back to the Hellenistic era, is the most majestic. Flanked by two round towers, its oval courtyard inside was transformed into a sort of courtyard of honor in 120 A.D: its walls were covered with precious marble slabs and its niches housed statues of the gods, the emperor's family, the mythical founders of Perge and celebrities of the Roman world. This remarkable renovation was made possible through the generosity of Plancia the Great, the only woman in Perge who held an important office. From here one could head in the direction of the acropolis. Perge was divided into quadrants by two colonnaded streets which intersected at right angles and which both date back to the 2nd century A.D. Halfway down each street, which was 20 meters wide, there was a water channel. The street leading to the acropolis must have been the town's main thoroughfare; it must have been lined by numerous shops and workshops protected by porticoes. Many of the Ionic capitals have remained on the columns, but the majority collapsed during an earthquake in the 13th century. Hellenistic Towers - Main gate   The towers were constructed in third century B.C. Behind this gate lies the oval courtyard. In 121 A.D. Plancia Magna turned this area into a monumental courtyard, first adding a niche to the exiting row of niches. In the Hellenistic period the courtyard was truly oval, but in the Roman period the back wall was taken down to be replaced by a three vaulted arch reached by four steps. The construction was a gift of Placia Magna to the city of Perge. Late Antique Gate This gate was constructed on the late Roman period, in the 2nd century A.D. In this gate, there was a 24 meter-long wall with five large niches on its facade in front of which rested a single-vaulted marble arch as a ceremonial arch for city festivals. South Baths The Roman bath consist of structures arranged side by side, with large windows facing southwards. The baths were approached by a propylon located inside the large courthyard of the city gate. North Monumental Nymphaeum This structure was built in the 2nd century B.C. The main fountain is in the center. Below the fountain there is a facade wall with the statue of the river god, Cestros in front of the pool. Demetrios Apollonios Arch This monument was erected for Artemis Pergaia and Apollo Colonnaded Avenue The city was divided into four quarters by two colonnaded streets. A water canal ran along the middle of each street. The Agora  A large square, 65x65 meters in dimension, surrounded by colonnades lined with shops and rooms on the outer sides. It was built when the city was enlarged in the 4th century A.D. A round structure stands in the middle of the market place. Stadium The stadium, built in approximately the 2nd century A.D., is to be found outside the town walls. Experts consider it to be one of the largest and most spectacular of Classic antiquity. Only from above can one have an idea of its dimensions: 234 meters long by 34 meters wide! The steps, arranged in a horse-shoe shape and supported by imposing barrel constructions could accommodate 25,000 spectators. Theater The theater also boasted the same vast dimensions. Built in Greco-Roman style during the 1st century B.C., it could accommodate as many as 15,000 spectators. During the second half of the 2nd century A.D., the 25 meter high stage wall was built; it was two-storied and decorated with mythological friezes, whose plastic beauty can still be admired.  Back to Turkey Index
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