description Pergamon Acropolis Overview
The Pergamon Acropolis was the hilltop citadel and administrative center of the Attalid kingdom during the Hellenistic period, located in modern-day western Turkey. Flourishing between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE, the site is renowned for its monumental architecture, including the Great Altar of Zeus and a massive steeply tiered theater. It also housed a significant library that rivaled Alexandria in the ancient world. The ruins serve as an important record of ancient Greek urban planning.
help Pergamon Acropolis FAQ
Where is the Pergamon Altar now?
Much of the monumental altar and its surviving sculpted friezes are displayed in Berlin's Pergamon Museum. The original foundation remains at the acropolis site near modern Bergama in western Turkey.
Why was Pergamon's library famous?
Ancient accounts describe Pergamon as a major center of learning with a large royal library that rivaled Alexandria. The exact collection size is uncertain, but the library was closely associated with the Attalid dynasty and the city's cultural ambitions.
How steep is the theater at Pergamon?
The Hellenistic theater is built dramatically into the acropolis hillside and could accommodate thousands of spectators. Its narrow, steep seating area overlooks the valley below and is one of the site's most distinctive surviving structures.
Is Pergamon mentioned in the Book of Revelation?
Yes. Pergamon is one of the seven churches of Asia addressed in Revelation, where it is associated with the phrase throne of Satan. The reference has prompted several interpretations involving the city's imperial cult, temples, or monumental altar.
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