Location and Overview
Pergamum was the next city mentioned in the Book of Revelation. It was a beautiful city, located 16 miles (26 kilometers) away from the Aegean Sea. The city was served by the nearby port city of Elaea. Pergamum was built on a steep mountain that was 1,165 feet (355 meters) high, overlooking a fertile valley formed by the Caicus River. The acropolis, or fortified area, was very difficult to attack because it was surrounded by steep cliffs, except from the south. The city itself was built on the southern slope of the mountain, with both an upper and middle section Smyrna The Second City of the Seven Churches.
Population and History
During the Roman period, Pergamum had a population of around 100,000 to 200,000 people, which was similar to the populations of Ephesus and Smyrna. The structures we can see today in the city mainly come from two periods:
The building projects of Eumenes II, a ruler of Pergamum in the second century B.C.
Renovations and additions made by the Roman emperors Trajan and Hadrian in the second century A.D.
Buildings and Structures in Pergamum
The upper part of the city had buildings and facilities used by city officials, soldiers, teachers, and religious worshipers. In this area, you could find:
Two palaces used by leaders Daily Istanbul Tour.
Residences for officials and soldiers.
Barracks and arsenals for the military, the remains of which can still be seen today.
Famous Temples
There were also two important temples in the upper city:
The Doric Temple of Athena – This temple, built by Eumenes II, had a large surrounding area and was dedicated to the goddess Athena.
The Trajaneum – This was a Corinthian-style temple built by Hadrian in honor of the Roman emperor Trajan. It was built around the time of the apostle John’s death. The discovery of large statues of both Hadrian and Trajan suggests that they were worshiped in this temple. A statue of Hadrian found in the excavations of Pergamum is now displayed in the Bergama Museum (modern-day Pergamum).
Both of these temples have been reconstructed and can be seen in a model of the ancient city at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
The Theater of Pergamum
One of the most impressive features of Pergamum is its theater, which could seat 10,000 people. It was a grand structure, and even though most of it is in ruins today, it still showcases the city’s importance and cultural life.
