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Pergamon – 01-by Carlos Delgado-

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Pergamum

Pergamum or Pergamon, also referred to by its modern Greek from Pergamos, was a rich and powerful ancient Greek city in Mysia.

It is located in the northwest of the modern city of Bergama, Turkey, and on the northside of the river Caicus,26km away from the modern coastline of the Aegean sea.

It became the capital of the kingdom of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period, in 281-133BC under the Attalid dynasty which played a major role in its culture.

Pergamum was the northernmost of the seven churches of Asia cited in the New Testament Book of Revelation.

It is located on an elevation of 335m high with three natural terraces on its southside that provide a route up to the top.

Pergamum was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2014. Here are 10 fascinating facts about Pergamum.

1. Pergamum is located at the foot of a mountain between two rivers

Pergamon 201409291113-by Atriplex82-

Pergamum lies in the historic region of Mysia in northwest Turkey. The Caicus river breaks through the surrounding mountains and hills at this point and flows to the southwest.

At the foot of the mountain range to the north, between rivers Selinus and Cetius lies the massif city of Pergamon.

2. Pergamum is mentioned in the Bible

Pergamon was the northernmost of the seven churches of Asia cited in the New Testament Book of Revelation.

The city of Pergamon also Pergamum is only mentioned twice in the New Testament (Revelation 1:11 and 2:12-13).

The ungodly and powerful authorities of the day promoted the worship of idols and false teachings and encouraged the participation of spiritually wrong acts that were sinful in God’s eyes.

3. Pergamum fortress is situated on the peak of a hill

Pergamon 201409291107-by Atriplex82-

Pergamon is about 1km wide and around 5.5km long from north to south. The side facing the Cetius River is a sharp cliff while the side facing the Selinus is a little rough.

On the northside, the rock forms a 70m wide spur of rock known as the “Garden of the Queen”.To the southeast of the spur, the massif reaches its greatest height and breaks off suddenly immediately to the east.

The upper city extends 250m to the south but remains very narrow with a width of only 150m. It rises 335km above sea level and only 26km from the Aegean sea

At its south end, the massif falls to the east and south widening to around 350m, and then descends to the plain towards the southwest.

4. The Attalids ruled the city for a long period

In 301BC Lysimachus, the king of Thrace took possession but soon after his lieutenant Philetaerus enlarged the town, the kingdom of Thrace collapsed.

In 281BC, Philataerus became an independent ruler and found the Attalid dynasty. The Attalids ruled the city from 281BC until 133BC.

Philataerus ruled from 281-263BC, then Eumenes I from 263-241BC, Attalus I 241-197BC, Eumenes II 197-159BC,Attalus II 159-138BC, and Attalus III 138-133BC. 

5. Pergamum is one of the major cultural centers of the Greek world

Under the Attalid’s rule, Pergamum grew into a major cultural center. Eumenes I made the city a territorial empire.

Under the two brothers Eumenes II and Attalus II, the city reached its peak and was rebuilt on a monumental scale.

The Attalid’s goal was to create a second Athens, a cultural and artistic hub of the Greek world.

They remodeled the Acropolis and also supported the growth of towns by sending in skilled artisans and by remitting taxes.

6. Pergamum was part of the Roman Empire

The city was endowed to Rome after the death of Attalus III in 133BC. This was challenged by Aristonicus who claimed to be Attalus IIIs brother who led an army against Romans but was defeated.

In 127 BC, the kingdom was divided between Rome, Pontus, and Cappadocia, with the majority of its territory becoming the new Roman province of Asia.

The city was declared free and was briefly the capital of the Roman Province before it was transferred to Ephesus.

In 88BC, Mithridates VI Eupatormade the city headquarters in his first war against Rome, which he lost and the victorious Romans denied Pergamon of its benefits and of its status as a free city.

7. Pergamum is a famous archaeological site

Pediment of Pergamon 2-by Ayratayrat-

There are few traces of the pre-Hellenistic city since in the following period the terrain was profoundly changed.

The construction of broad terraces involved the removal of almost all earlier structures. Many of the city’s monuments remains can still be seen and especially the Pergamon Altar.

Part of the temple of Athena, as well as the walls and foundations of the altar in the sanctuary of Demeter, go back to the 4th century.

8. Pergamum is home to famous historical sites

Temple of Trajan, Pergamon 01-by Bernard Gagnon-

The historic ruins of Pergamum are split into three main areas. In the Acropolis, sites such as the library, gymnasium, very steep theatre, and arsenal, as well as the Roman Temple of Trajan found.

This also was the site of the incredible Altar of Pergamum.

The other two areas are its lower city and stunning health care or Asclepion, where a variety of treatments were offered such as rejuvenating mud baths.

9. Pergamum served as a health center for centuries

Pergamum is not only home to important archaeological structures, but it also has an important place in the history of medicine.

It was home to one of the most important ancient healing complexes in the region. 

For centuries, people sought treatment at Pergamon for their ailments, with therapies including everything from herbs to music. 

10. The city attained the title of Metropolis 

Under Hadrian, the city was favored by several imperial initiatives and was raised to the rank of metropolis in 123BC and thereby promoting it above its local rivals, Ephesus and Smyrna.

As a result of this, an enterprising building program was carried out. Massive temples, a stadium, a theatre, a huge forum, and an amphitheater were constructed.

Pergamum is an important cultural, scientific and political center. Pergamon was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014 with its outstanding historical value.

It was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon and was one of the major cultural centers of Greece.