Greek Settlements > Pergamon

Pergamon

Background

Pergamon, also spelled Pergamum, was an ancient Greek city located in modern-day Turkey. Here are some key aspects of Pergamon:

History and Geography

1. Location:

   • Pergamon was situated in the northwest of modern-day Turkey, in the region known as Mysia. It was strategically positioned on a prominent hill overlooking the Caicus River valley, providing natural defenses and commanding views of the surrounding landscape.

2. Founding:

   • The city was founded in the 3rd century BCE by the Greek king Philetaerus, who established the Attalid dynasty. Under subsequent rulers, particularly Attalus I and Eumenes II, Pergamon flourished as a significant political, cultural, and religious center.

Cultural and Architectural Achievements

1. Pergamon Altar:

   • One of the most famous monuments of Pergamon is the Pergamon Altar, an elaborate structure dedicated to Zeus and Athena. It was adorned with intricate sculptures depicting scenes from Greek mythology, including the Gigantomachy (battle of the giants).

2. Library of Pergamon:

   • Pergamon was renowned for its library, which rivaled the Library of Alexandria in Egypt as one of the largest and most important repositories of knowledge in the ancient world. The library housed thousands of scrolls and served as a center of learning and scholarship.

3. Asclepieion:

   • Pergamon was home to an Asclepieion, a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of healing. The Asclepieion of Pergamon was renowned for its healing treatments and medical facilities, attracting pilgrims from far and wide seeking cures for their ailments.

Political and Military Significance

1. Attalid Kingdom:

   • Pergamon was the capital of the Attalid kingdom, a Hellenistic state established by the Attalid dynasty. The Attalids ruled over a significant territory in Asia Minor and played a prominent role in regional politics and diplomacy.

2. Alliance with Rome:

   • Pergamon formed close ties with the Roman Republic and eventually became a Roman province in 133 BCE, following the bequest of King Attalus III to Rome. The city continued to thrive under Roman rule, serving as an important administrative and cultural center in the eastern Mediterranean.

Legacy and Influence

1. Art and Architecture:

   • The artistic and architectural achievements of Pergamon, particularly the Pergamon Altar and the Great Altar of Zeus, have left a lasting legacy in the field of ancient Greek sculpture and monumental architecture.

2. Medical Tradition:

   • The Asclepieion of Pergamon contributed to the development of the medical profession and the practice of healing in the ancient world. It served as a model for subsequent medical institutions and influenced the study of medicine in the Greco-Roman world.

Decline and Abandonment

1. Roman Period:

   • Pergamon continued to prosper under Roman rule, but it gradually declined in importance during the Byzantine period. The city was eventually abandoned in the early medieval period, and its ruins were later rediscovered and excavated by archaeologists in the 19th and 20th centuries.

2. Archaeological Site:

   • Today, Pergamon is an important archaeological site and tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world to explore its ancient ruins and learn about its rich history and cultural heritage.

Summary

Pergamon was a thriving ancient Greek city known for its cultural, political, and architectural achievements. From its magnificent monuments and libraries to its strategic location and political influence, Pergamon played a significant role in the history of the ancient Mediterranean world. Its legacy continues to be celebrated and studied by scholars and enthusiasts interested in ancient Greek civilization and the Hellenistic era.

Famous People

• 200 BCE - Epigonus (Sculptor)
• 100 BCE - Sosus of Pergamon (Mosaic Artist)
• 200 CE - Aelius Nicon (Architect & Engineer)
• 129–200/216 AD - Galen (Physician)

Sources