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©TIE
2004-2008
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Bergama (ancient Pergamum), 100 km
(62 miles) north of Izmir and
250 km (155 miles) south of Çanakkale, was
renowned in Hellenic and Roman times
for its great library and
as the medical center where Galen laid
the foundation for medical practice.
Pergamum (or Pergamon)
was an important kingdom during the
second century BC, having grown from
a city-state captured by Alexander
the Great.
Upon Alexander's death in
323 BC, his generals fought for control
of the parts of his empire. Lysimachus took command of the Aegean
coast, but
was killed in 281 BC, leaving Pergamum
in the control of Philetarus
the Eunuch,
who used Lysimachus's treasure to increase
his power.
Philetarus's nephew and heirs built
on their inheritance, and Eumenes
II (197-159 BC), King of Pergamum,
became the most powerful ruler in Anatolia.
He beautified his capital city by building
the Altar of Zeus,
by constructing numerous buildings
in the "middle city" on the slope of
the Acropolis,
and by expanding and beautifying the Asclepion
medical center. More...
Eumenes II's son Attalus III was not
his father's equal. Pergamum's power
declined, and on Attalus's death in
129 BC, the Kingdom of Pergamum was
willed to Rome and became its Province
of Asia (Minor).
Roman Pergamum was still a rich, important
city. Some of its most important monuments,
such as the Temple of Trajan, date
from Roman times.
Modern Bergama (BEHR-gah-mah,
pop. 100,000) is a center for farming,
light industry, schools, gold mining,
and of course tourism. It's a l-o-n-g
spread-out city. It's 7
km (4.35 miles) from the north-south
highway and the bus terminal to the
center of Bergama around the Bergama
Müzesi (archeological
museum). From the museum, it's another
5.35 km (3.3 miles) to the summit of
the lofty Acropolis. More...
Guided
tours are available
from Izmir,.
Most travelers visit Bergama on day-trips
from Izmir or Ayvalik,
or stop to see the sights on their
itinerary between Çanakkale and Ephesus,
but Bergama does
have a few suitable hotels if
you decide to spend the night here.
Bus is
the best way of getting
to Bergama.
The town is long
and spread out,
so if you don't have your own vehicle,
expect to take some taxi rides.
More...
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Above, a
portion of the Traianeum (Temple
of Trajan) on
the Acropolis. of
Pergamum.
Below left, snakes at the
Asclepion.
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