Pergamon
From Turkey Travel Guide
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Pergamon, (Pergamum or Pérgamo) is in the borders of Bergama.
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[edit] History
Inhabited since the early Bronze Age, Pergamum first grew from a small settlement under the rule of Lysimachus, one of the generals to succeed Alexander the Great. He stored a treasure of 9000 talents there, the equivalent of millions in modern US dollars. When he was killed in subsequent battles, the commander he had left in charge, Philetarus, used the funds to secure his control as governor.
Phileatarus went on to join forces with the Seleucids of Antioch, and his successors kept the kingdom as a buffer state between the Roman Empire and the Gauls. The Seleucid alliance secured a place in a league, and the kingdom expanded toward the Mediterranean in the south and east. In 133 BC, King Attalus chose to leave his kingdom to the Romans over his irresponsible nephew, who used it to reach the whole of Anatolia. The first bishop as thought to have been martyred in 92 AD.
[edit] Visitor's Guide
[edit] Asclepelon
Upon entering the Asclepion, you will be on the Roman Bazaar Street. Proceeding to the southwest leads to the ceremony area. On the left are the remains of the famous library- the English word parchment is derived from Pergamum, known for its more than 200,000 volumes. On the right is the Temple of Asclepios, a god who could raise the dead. His symbol was the snake, and his temple was inhabited by them.
South of the Temple of Asclepios is the Temple of Telesphorus. Telesphorus was the son of Asclepios, the god of healing. Patients would sleep a night in the temple so their dreams could aid the priests in diagnosing their illnesses. The patients could also walk in continuous circles in the temple and bathe in individual tubs on the upper level. From here, you can still take the underground passage to the sacred well (it has mostly dried up), like the ancient patients would.
The north, south, and west edges of the square are the stoa, covered walkway, decorated with asymmetrical flower design that is still visible on the western side. To the south are the ancient toilets and baths, and the the north is the Roman Theater. There are scattered ruins gradually decreasing in the west.
[edit] Acropolis
Entering the acropolis, there are blue dots to show you the suggested path. To the northeast, one passes through the city leading to the Palace of Eumenes II with its impressive gate. Further to the north are the Barracks, followed by the Arsenal. South of these is the Temple of Trajan, featuring a bust of Trajan. Resist the urge to call the Pergamon Museum and remind them they forgot something.
To the south, little remains of the Library, which held the 200,000 volumes collected by King Attalus I. It was presented as a wedding present to Cleopatra from Antony, and then joined the collection at Alexandria, meeting its fate in the early AD era. The Temple of Athena is also rather barren, south of that. It is the oldest temple in the city, built at the end of 400 BC in the Doric style.
The dizzying Terrace Theater descends to the east. It 80 rows in 3 tiers seated 10,000. At the back of the stage there are still visible holes where the backgrounds were set up. On the north side of the stage is the Temple of Dionysus, the god of wine and theater.
South of the Theater is the Alter of Zeus. Unfortunately, everything but the foundation is in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
Down the main road to the south, the Upper Agora and Roman Bath proceed the Temple and Altar of Demeter. To the southeast is that Middle City. The large building in the center is the Gymnasium. Further down the hill is the Palace of Attalus I and beyond that the Lower Agora.
[edit] Getting there
There is no public transportation to the sites. Since most visitors will be going to the same sites, you can try asking around your hotel to split the cab fare.
It is possible to walk the less than 2 km to the Asclepion, but may be confusing despite the 'Asklepion' signs marking the route. A taxi should cost around 5 lira, or more to wait and return. Either way, you need to agree on rates with your driver before you leave. The walk back down to the city is relatively simple.
The 5 km walk uphill to the Acropolis is rather overwhelming. A taxi should cost about 15 lira, but you will have to negotiate with the cab driver. Otherwise, insist that the driver turn on the meter.
When leaving the Acropolis, it is possible to walk through the old Gymnasium to a hole in the fence, and proceed downhill to the town from there. The guards may point the route out to you.
[edit] Eat & Drink
There are food and drink stands in the parking lot of the Acropolis. The site is extensive, so bring a bottle of water and possibly a snack.
Across the street from the Asclepion are refreshment stands and souvenir shops. Inside the site, roasted pine nuts are sold from a stand.
Within the town of Bergama itself there are several restaurants, cafes, and bakeries, where cheaper (and more substantial) meals can be found, as well as the usual corner markets where you can stock up on drinks and snacks.
[edit] Books
[edit] External links
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