Bibliography

Bruce. F. F. Acts of the Apostles. 3rd rev. and enl. ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.

Fant, Clyde E., and Mitchell G. Reddish. A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.

Grainger, John D. The Cities of Pamphylia. Oxford: Oxbow Books, 2009.

Rachel Klippenstein

Pergamum (Πέργαμος, Pergamos). An ancient city of western Anatolia in Asia Minor, now the modern village of Bergama, in Mysia, Turkey. Located about 16 miles from the Aegean Sea alongside the Caicus River Valley. One of the seven churches to whom John addressed the book of Revelation (Rev 1:11; 2:12–17).

Location

Pergamum is located on a sharp rugged hill rising 1,000 feet above the surrounding plain. The acropolis, which is visible from a great distance, is accessible only from the southern slope. These geographical features create an ideal site for a fortress. With its public buildings built on terraces on a steep hillside and multiple temples as part of its acropolis, Pergamum was one of the most beautiful cities during the Hellenistic era.

Its southeastern layout and the quality of its buildings (or insulae) have been compared to that of the late classical Priene. The lower city and Asclepion complex were developed later during the Roman era, when the city also served as the capital of Asia. Surrounding Pergamum are several agricultural villages. The city maintained a connection to the Aegean Sea through the port of Elaia about 18 miles away. The size of the Elaia harbor structures suggest that during the Hellenistic and Roman period, Pergamum had significant influence on the Aegean Sea. The port likely served both an economic and military function (German Archaeological Institute).