Pergamon Altar

Quick Facts: Who was Pergamon Altar?

Subject:

Pergamon Altar

Known for:

Monumental Hellenistic altar depicting the Gigantomachy and life of Telephus.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Pergamon Altar (Ancient Greek: Βωμός τῆς Περγάμου) was a monumental construction built during the reign of the Ancient Greek King Eumenes II of the Pergamon Empire in the first half of the 2nd century BC on one of the terraces of the acropolis of Pergamon in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). It was described as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by three known classical lists.

Career & Major Achievements

The structure was 35.74 metres (117 ft 3 in) wide and 33.4 metres (109 ft 7 in) deep; the front stairway alone was almost 20 metres (66 ft) wide. The base was decorated with a frieze in high relief showing the battle between the Giants and the Olympian gods known as the Gigantomachy.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

There was a second, smaller and less well-preserved high relief frieze on the inner court walls which surrounded the actual fire altar on the upper level of the structure at the top of the stairs. In a set of consecutive scenes, it depicts events from the life of Telephus, legendary founder of the city of Pergamon and son of the hero Heracles and Auge, one of Tegean king Aleus's daughters.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Pergamon Altar

True or False: “The Pergamon Altar was originally intended to be a freestanding monument, separate from the acropolis structure.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The altar was an integral, monumental construction built upon one of the terraces of the acropolis of Pergamon, not a separate, freestanding piece.

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