Mysteria
Pergamon Acropolis
Verified39.1306° N · 27.1839° E · 335 m

Pergamon Acropolis

Pergamum · Bergama Acropolis · Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape

Hellenistic to Roman 283 BCE–3rd c. CE·Greek (Attalid) and Roman·🇹🇷 Aegean (Izmir), Turkey

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Marmaracalypso · CC BY-SA 4.0

About

About Pergamon Acropolis

Hellenistic Attalid capital (282–133 BCE) perched 335 m above Caicus plain, famed for steepest theater in antiquity (10,000 seats, 70° incline), Great Altar of Zeus (180 BCE gigantomachy frieze now in Berlin Museum), Trajan Temple, Asclepium healing center, and parchment (pergamenum) invention. UNESCO cultural landscape includes Tumuli and Roman lower town.

Why it mattersExemplar Hellenistic kingdom capital with integrated engineering on dramatic topography

Open questions

Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Altar reconstruction in Berlin authenticity vs Izmir retention debate
  2. 02Parchment invention legend vs Alexandria papyrus competition

Theories

  1. 01Hellenistic kingship display via Attalid dedication
  2. 02Asclepium early psychotherapeutic center

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

History

How it came to be

Built
Great Altar 180 BCE under Eumenes II; acropolis crown 3rd c. BCE
Period
Hellenistic to Roman 283 BCE–3rd c. CE
Culture
Greek (Attalid) and Roman
Purpose
Dynastic capital, cultural rival to Alexandria; Asclepium healing
Excavation
Partially excavated

  1. 283 BCE

    Philetaerus founds kingdom

  2. 180 BCE

    Great Altar of Zeus with frieze

  3. 133 BCE

    Bequest to Rome

  4. 1871

    Humano discovers Altar frieze slabs

On the ground

Structures & features

39.1306° N · 27.1839° E · 335 m · 4 mapped features

Gallery

Photos

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