Pergamon

Quick Facts: Who was Pergamon?

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Pergamon

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Ancient Greek city in Anatolia, famed for its cultural zenith and monumental Pergamon Altar.

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Origins & Early Life

Pergamon or Pergamum ( or ; Ancient Greek: Πέργαμον), also referred to by its modern Greek form Pergamos (Πέργαμος), was a rich and powerful ancient Greek city in Aeolis. It is located 26 kilometres (16 mi) from the modern coastline of the Aegean Sea on a promontory on the north side of the river Caicus (modern-day Bakırçay) and northwest of the modern city of Bergama, Turkey. During the Hellenistic period, it became the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon in 281–133 BC under the Attalid dynasty, who transformed it into one of the major cultural centres of the Greek world. The remains of many of its monuments are still visible today, most notably the masterpiece of the Pergamon Altar. Pergamon was the northernmost of the seven churches of Asia cited in the New Testament Book of Revelation.

Career & Major Achievements

The city is centered on a 335-metre-high (1,100 ft) mesa of andesite, which formed its acropolis. This mesa falls away sharply on the north, west, and east sides, but three natural terraces on the south side provide a route up to the top. To the west of the acropolis, the Selinus River (modern Bergamaçay) flows through the city, while the Cetius river (modern Kestelçay) passes by to the east. Pergamon was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. Pergamon lies on the north edge of the Caicus plain in the historic region of Mysia in the northwest of Turkey.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Caicus river breaks through the surrounding mountains and hills at this point and flows in a wide arc to the southwest. At the foot of the mountain range to the north, between the rivers Selinus and Cetius, there is the massif of Pergamon which rises 335 metres (1,099 ft) above sea level. The site is only 26 kilometres (16 mi) from the sea, but the Caicus plain is not open to the sea, since the way is blocked by the Karadağ massif. As a result, the area has a strongly inland character. In Hellenistic times, the town of Elaia at the mouth of the Caicus served as the port of Pergamon.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2014: 2014 Milestone — Pergamon was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Pergamon

True or False: “The primary material used to construct the massive acropolis of Pergamon was marble, sourced from local quarries.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The main building material for the acropolis was andesite, a volcanic rock, not primarily marble.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Pergamon