Kingdom of Pergamon
The Attalid rulers made Pergamon a major kingdom in western Asia Minor during the third and second centuries BC. Their capital became a centre of royal architecture, sculpture and learning, while fortified towns and civic buildings connected the court to communities across the region. Alliance with Rome helped the dynasty enlarge its territory after the defeat of the Seleucids. In 133 BC, Attalus III left his kingdom to Rome, beginning a contested transition to Roman provincial rule. The kingdom’s history links royal patronage with the institutions of Hellenistic cities.
Explore Pergamon sites
Cities connected with Pergamon preserve terraced civic centres and fortifications, alongside later Roman buildings that transformed their appearance.
Daily life
Life in the Attalid Kingdom: City, Household and Countryside
Courtyard homes, water storage, crafts, markets and festivals shaped everyday activity in Pergamon and the wider Attalid kingdom.
History and society
Pergamon: History, Government and Society under the Attalids
Pergamon’s Attalid rulers linked royal power with city institutions, regional resources, military alliances and public patronage.