The Seat of Satan: Ancient Pergamum (Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape)

Coastal drive with fantastic views of fishing villages, olive groves, apple and peach orchards to the modern town of Bergama – ancient Greek city in Mysia and the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon, situated 125 miles further north from Ephesus. Once the residence of the royal families, aristocrats, scientists and philosophers. Kingdom of Pergamon was founded in the 3rd century BC by Philetarios, one of Alexander the Great’s generals. Julius Caesar himself once visited too, it was here that Caesar imprisoned and executed the very pirates who had kidnapped him in 75 BC after he hunted them down following his release.

Finest example of Turkey’s ties to Greco-Roman history, Acropolis is full of temples dedicated to the gods and goddesses of Greek and Roman Pantheon and other structures make up the historic site such as Temple of Trajan, the Temple of Athena (goddess of wisdom, war and the crafts), the Temple of Dionysos (god of wine, ecstasy, fertility, theatre and revelry), the Hellenistic Theater, the baths and the library of 200,000 volumes, second only to the great library of Alexandria, Egypt. Out of jealousy, the Egyptians banned the export of papyrus, inspiring the invention of the new writing material. Though you must work some to find the clues. In addition, visiting the Great Altar of Zeus with its richly decorated frieze, a masterpiece of Hellenistic art. A part of the altar and its surviving reliefs, restored and mounted, now controversially stands in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.

From one famous site to another! Explore the famous Sanctuary of Asclepion, located in the valley and note the remains of ancient aqueducts to the west and north. You will have the chance to heal your soul in Asclepion, which was the most famous hospital in the ancient world, dedicated to the god of health and medicine, Asclepios – where methods of treatment included blood transfusions, music therapy and meditation.

Learn the history of Galenos, who was the first private doctor for the emperor and was the father of all the pharmacists of the world. Perhaps the world’s first celebrity diet doctor before setting up clinic as physician to Pergamum’s gladiators. Walk through the healing rooms and hear whispers of ancient doctors talking to their patients. Remains of Pergamon is quite extensive and well presented. Bring comfortable shoes to clamber around the uneven ruins.