Kingdom of Pergamon
The Kingdom of Pergamon, also known as the Attalid Dynasty, was an ancient Greek state that existed from about 282 BCE to 133 BCE. Here are some key aspects:
Founding and Rise
- The kingdom was founded by Philetaerus, a former officer of Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great's successors.
- Originally, Philetaerus was appointed as the guardian of Lysimachus's treasure at Pergamon. After Lysimachus's death in 281 BCE, Philetaerus declared himself independent.
Expansion and Cultural Achievements
- Under the rule of Eumenes I (263–241 BCE) and Attalus I (241–197 BCE), the kingdom expanded significantly, defeating the Galatians in battle and extending Pergamon's influence.
- Attalus I assumed the title of "king," marking the official beginning of the kingdom.
- The kingdom became a center of Hellenistic culture, with significant patronage of the arts and sciences. The Library of Pergamon was second only to the Library of Alexandria in its collection of books.
Architecture and Monuments
Economy and Trade
- The Attalids fostered a strong economy by minting their own coins, which were widely accepted due to their purity and weight.
- Pergamon became a center for trade, particularly in papyrus and parchment, the latter being invented there as an alternative to papyrus.
Decline and Legacy
- The kingdom's decline began with external pressures from the Seleucid Empire and internal strife.
- By 133 BCE, the last king, Attalus III, bequeathed the kingdom to the Roman Republic upon his death, ending the Attalid rule.
- Pergamon remained an important city within the Roman province of Asia, and its legacy continued in Roman architecture and culture.
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