Visiting the Acropolis of Pergamun

The historic city of Pergamun was established by the Greeks in the 8^th century BC.  While most of the people on the ship headed to Ephesus, we joined a small group for a visit to Pergamun.

It is set on a very steep hill but fortunately we went up the hill by cable car and spent a few hours strolling the ancient city with its huge theatre that could seat 10,000 people.  We saw the remains of several temples – Athena,  Zeus and a later temple to Trajan built by Hadrian.

We saw the remnants of the Great Library, 2^nd largest in the ancient world after Alexandria.  Parchment paper was invented here and it was a centre of culture and learning.

Later we visited the Asclepion, considered to be the site of the 1^st ever hospital.  It sounded more like a health spa because it had a theatre and a library for the patients  as well as a marble covered walkway leading to treatment rooms.

It was built to honour the god Asclepio,  the god of medicine.  His half sister was Hygeia {the word hygiene comes from that}.

The hospital had a really good track record for healing because if they thought the patient might die, he was refused admission!  It might also be the first use of psychology in medicine because as the patients walked through the underground tunnels, messages were whispered through cavities by doctors or priests that the patient would get better.

Robert at Pergamun.

 Gail and Rob at the theatre.

 Seating for 10,000!

 Views of the site.

Pergamun viewed from Asclepion.

The road walked by the sick at Asceplion.

 The site at Asclepion.