Sanctuary of Athena of Pergamon

The Sanctuary of Athena in Pergamon was one of the most important religious and cultural centers of the Hellenistic world. Its construction is associated with the flourishing of the Pergamon Kingdom in the 3rd–2nd centuries BC, when the ruling Attalid dynasty transformed the city into a major political and intellectual hub.

The foundation of the sanctuary is traditionally attributed to King Philetaerus (283–263 BC), the founder of the dynasty, but the main structures were built under his successors, especially under Eumenes II (197–159 BC). The Temple of Athena, the patron goddess of the city, became a symbol of military power and cultural superiority of Pergamon.

Architecture and Appearance of the Sanctuary of Athena in antiquity

The Sanctuary of Athena was located in the Acropolis of Pergamon—the upper city where the main temples and palaces stood. It included several key structures:

Temple of Athena Polias (Protector of the City): 
• Built in the Doric order, which was rare in Asia Minor, where the Ionic style predominated. 
• The temple stood on a podium, surrounded by a colonnade (peripteros). 
• Inside was the cult statue of Athena, likely made of gold and ivory (chryselephantine technique).

Stoa (Portico) and the Library: 
• A two-story stoa in the shape of the letter Π surrounded the temple square, creating a harmonious ensemble. 
• In the northern part stood the Library of Pergamon, second in importance only to the Library of Alexandria. Legend has it that it housed up to 200,000 scrolls.

Victory Monuments and Trophies: 
After the victory over the Celts (Galatians) in the 230s BC, the Attalids erected sculptural groups in the Sanctuary of Athena depicting their triumph. Some of these statues (such as the Dying Gaul) were later copied by the Romans and have survived to this day.

Religious and Cultural Activities: 
• Cult of Athena: Sacrifices and processions were held in the temple in honor of the goddess. 
• Panathenaic Games: Similar to Athens, Pergamon hosted competitions in honor of Athena, including athletic and musical contests. 
• Scholarly Gatherings: The library near the sanctuary was a center of science, where philosophers, astronomers, and physicians worked.

During the Roman period (1st century BC – 4th century AD), the sanctuary retained its significance but gradually declined. In the Byzantine era, many structures were dismantled for building materials. Today, only the foundations, fragments of columns, and capitals remain of the Temple of Athena. The stoa is the best-preserved structure and can still be seen among the ruins of the acropolis. Some sculptures and reliefs from the sanctuary are kept in the Pergamon Museum (Berlin), where they were taken by German archaeologists in the 19th century.

The Sanctuary of Athena in Pergamon was not only a religious center but also a symbol of Hellenistic culture, combining architectural grandeur, science, and military glory. Despite its destruction, its remains allow us to imagine the former splendor of one of the most significant sanctuaries of the ancient world.