During the reign of Eumenes II, from 197 to 159 BCE, Pergamum reached the height of its power. After helping Rome defeat the Seleucid army at the Battle of Magnesia in 190 BCE, Eumenes II was rewarded generously. Rome granted him control over almost all of western Asia Minor. As a result, Pergamum became the strongest and most important kingdom in the region.
This alliance with Rome was a turning point in the city’s history. Pergamum was no longer just a local power but a major political force. Its rulers gained wealth, land, and prestige, and the city itself grew rapidly in size and influence A Marble Capital from the Red Court in Pergamum.
The Great Altar of Pergamum
Eumenes II is especially remembered for building the Great Altar on the acropolis of Pergamum. This monument is considered one of the most important works of the Hellenistic period. The altar was decorated with dramatic reliefs showing battles between gods and giants, symbolizing the victory of order over chaos.
The Great Altar was not only a religious structure but also a political statement. It expressed the power of the Pergamene kingdom and its close connection to the gods. The altar’s artistic quality and scale showed that Pergamum could compete with the greatest cities of the ancient world.
The End of the Pergamene Kingdom
The last ruler of Pergamum was Attalos III. Unlike his predecessors, he had no legitimate heir. Realizing that his death could lead to war and chaos over succession, he made a surprising decision. When he died in 133 BCE, he left his entire kingdom to Rome Private Sofia Tours.
This act marked the end of Pergamum as an independent kingdom. However, it also prevented a violent struggle for power. Pergamum became part of the Roman world and entered a new phase of its history.
Pergamum under Roman Rule
Under Roman control, the city did not decline. On the contrary, it continued to grow and flourish. Along with Ephesus, Pergamum was one of the earliest cities where the Roman imperial cult was established. People worshipped the Roman emperors as divine figures.
This practice was not completely new to the citizens of Pergamum. As the capital of a Hellenistic kingdom, they were already familiar with ruler worship. Such practices had existed earlier in the heroön, a shrine dedicated to royal figures, whose ruins still survive.
Roman Architecture and Urban Development
The arrival of Roman rule brought new energy to the city. Roman builders were highly skilled engineers. They created large terraces supported by vaults and built impressive temples, baths, and public buildings. While the Attalid rulers had mainly used local andesite stone, the Romans preferred marble, giving the city a brighter and more monumental appearance.
Many of the remains visible today belong to the Roman period. The stadium, amphitheatre, and much of the Asclepion were built or expanded under Roman rule. These structures show how important Pergamum remained within the empire.
The Asclepion and Medical Fame
The Asclepion of Pergamum was one of the most famous healing centers of the ancient world. After those in Cos and Epidauros, it was the most important medical center in the Roman Empire. Patients came from distant regions seeking treatment and healing.
The discovery of a statue of Emperor Hadrian in the library of the Asclepion shows how closely medicine, religion, and imperial power were connected. An inscription on the statue’s base states that it was dedicated to “the god Hadrian” by a woman named Flavia Melitene.
