Saturday, December 1, 2012

Pergamum with Acropolis and Sanctuary of Asclepius

The church in Pergamun was one of the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

The Asclepius situated below the Acropolis had an ancient hospital for the mentally ill. Galen the most fanous doctor in the ancient Roman Empire and personal physician to Emperor Marcus Aurelius practised there.

Pergamum's library at the Acropolis was the second best in the ancient Greek civilisation.  There were 200,000 volumes in the library.  Mark Anthony took the whole collection to Alexandria in Egypt as a wedding gift for Cleopatra.  Parchment (pergaminus or pergamena) was invented here when there was a lack of papyrus for writing.

The beginning of the colonnaded sacred way leading to the sanctuary proper.

People with health problems would bathe in the water of the sacred spring.

The entrance to the tunnel.

The tunnel leading to an ancient hospital.  Psychotherapy was practised here. 
The physician would speak to the patient through the window above as he walked inside the tunnel in darkness.

Rooms in the hospital.

The Acropolis of Pergamum on a hill as seen from Asclepius.

A Great Altar of Pergamum dedicated to Zeus was found in the Acropolis . 
John the apostle may have referred to this altar as the "Satan's Throne" in his Book of Revelation. 

Troy

The multi-deck wooden horse.

Ancient Troy was abandoned by its people because it
was no longer a sea port after heavy silting of the nearby river.

Many walls protect the ancient city.

A German archeologist discovered the ancient city of Troy.
The ancient city of Troy was discovered following the legendary story by Homer. The Greeks and Trojans fought the Trojan War for the honour of the beautiful Helen.  The wooden horse was used to deceive the Trojans so as to gain access into the city.

Pamukhale, Turkey

White lime cascades formed by hot mineral spring water.

Water has "healing powers".

A Roman settlement with hot baths.

We too are playing with the water.
The white lime cascade is formed from hot mineral spring water rich in calcium carbonate.  The Romans settled here