Pergamon
was a small settlement during the Archaic Period. Lysimachos, who
had become the sovereign of Anatolia after 301 B.C., delivered the
war expenditures, at the amount of 9000 talents, to Philetairos
who was the commander of Pergamon, and the kingdom founded by
Philetar by using this sum of money following Lysimachos's death,
flourished and became the most eminent center of culture of the
Hellenistic period during 150 years.
Eumenes
the I., Attales the I. and Eumenes the II. were enthroned
successively after Philetairos. Eumenes the II. took acropolis of
Athens as an example and had the acropolis of Pergamon adorned
with works of art which reflected fine taste, and Pergamon became
one of the most graceful cities of the world. Attales the III. who
succeeded Attales the II., handed over his land to in 133 B.C.
In
Acropolis, the remains that we see on the left hand side while
entering the ruins, are the monumental tombs built for the kings
of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period. Shops are situated at
their side. When we enter the Acropolis, the remains seen at our
left side, are the foundations of Propylon which Eumenes the II.
had ordered to be constructed. Today, this Propylon has been
reconstructed at the Museum of Berlin. From here, we pass to a
square surrounded with three stoas of the Doric order. This is the
abode of Sacred Athena, built during the time of Eumenes the II.
The Temple of Athena built in the 3rd century B.C., is just above
the theater. The famous Library of Pergamon which contained
200.000 books, was situated north of the square. As it is already
known, Antonius had made a present of this library to Cleopatra.
The remains near the library, are the remains of houses belonging
to the Hellenistic period. When we turn back and go up the stairs,
the remains of the palaces of Eumenes the II. and Attales the II.
are seen. Towards the inside of the Acropolis, there are houses,
military barracks and, at the farthest end, there are military
warehouses called "Arsenals". The building that has been restored
at present, is the Temple of Trajan. Emperer Hadrian (117-138) had
this temple constructed in the Corinthian order and it was placed
upon a terrace with dimensions of 68 x 58 m. Attempts have been
continuing since the year 1976 to erect this temple which has 6 x
9 columns and a peripteros plan.
