ACROPOLIS OF PERGAMON continued...


Next to the Library, next to the Theater, (Number 9), are the ruins of a Hellenistic house with one large and three small rooms.

Entrance to the temple of AthenaTo the north of the Holy Square of Athena, on a terrace above the Library, are the ruins of the Trajan Temple, (number 15). The temple was built for the deified Roman Emperor Trajan. Upon his death, from 117-18 AD it was completed by his successor Hadrian. In the excavation of the site, remnants of sculptures of both emperors were found.

The temple is built upon an artificial terrace measuring 60 x 70m). It is constructed in the Corinthian style, with 6x9 columns supporting the architrave and upper members. The artificial terrace upon which it stands is supported in vaults and buttresses. The temple was originally 18 meters in height, the roof bears decoration also to be seen in the temple of Bergama.

Below the temple of Athena, the theatre, (no 16 on the map) is to be seen. This has one of the steepest terraces of any theatre of the classical period. This amazing construction is situated on the western blank of Pergamon acropolis. It is capable of holding 10,000 spectators. It is equally impressive, both from a distance and from close by. The theatre terraces are broken into three by two horizontal pathways. Small additional steps between the rows of seats were built to enable the spectators to take their seats in comfort.

During the Hellenistic period, the theatre had a removable wooden scene, mounted on large poles, which embedded in the foundations. The stage still in position dates from the Roman period.

 

A path leading to the left from the entrance to the theatre takes us to the temple of dionysos.

Temanos of Athena, the temple of Athena in the foregorund, framed by stoa

In front of the theatre is a terrace 250 m. long. This was a meeting place for the inhabitants of Pergamon. The remains of the temple clearly exhibit its former magnificence, whether in form or materials used. The temple, dating from the 2 century B.C. was built of andesite. When destroyed by fire, it was built of marble by the Roman emperor Caracalla. Marble steps led to a faced of four pillars. The temple measured 11.80m x 20.22m. and blended excellently with the terrace before it.

The path to the left, leading to the Heron, also takes us to the shrine of Zeus. This shrine, seen as no. 20 on the plan, has survived only in the form of a few steps in the shadow of a tree.

Reconstruction of the great altar, PergamonThe shrine was built during the reign of Eumenes II in honor of his victory against the Galatians. The Zeus altar rested on a huge, horseshoe shaped marble base. It was surrounded by Ionic stoas. A frieze, 120 meters long and 2.30 meters in height ran around the base. This showed the battle between the Gods and the Giants. The shrine was built in an open space, to the east, with an entrance to the west. Twenty steps led up to the rectangular space where stood the marble shrine altar.

The lowest part of the monument measured 36.44 x 34.20 meters. It had five steps. Over this is the horseshoe shaped section. The discovery of the remains of the Zeus shrine was made in 1871 by the German engineer Carl Humann. The shrine was then dismantled and reconstructed with the existing parts in the museum at Berlin.

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Pergamon is located in the province of Izmir. Where is IZMIR ?
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  Area: 1.973 km²
  Population: 2.694.770
  565 km from Istanbul