Pergamon (Aiolis)'s cultural legacy and political bequest to Rome. Attalus III wrote a treatise on agriculture quoted by Roman authorities for centuries Attalus III died after a 5-year reign and bequeathed his kingdom to the Roman people, leading to the creation of the Roman province of Asia Aristonicus revolted against the bequest, promising freedom to slaves and calling his followers 'people of the sun' before being captured and strangled in Rome's Mamertine Prison
Attalus III's surprising will bequeathed his kingdom to Rome, creating the province of Asia — though Aristonicus revolted by promising freedom to slaves and calling followers "people of the sun" before his capture. Beyond politics, Pergamon housed 200,000 volumes in its famous library, gave us the word "parchment" (Pergamina), and sculpted masterpieces like the Dying Gaul that shaped Roman artistic traditions.
Key Facts
- Attalus III wrote a treatise on agriculture quoted by Roman authorities for centuries
- Attalus III died after a 5-year reign and bequeathed his kingdom to the Roman people, leading to the creation of the Roman province of Asia
- Aristonicus revolted against the bequest, promising freedom to slaves and calling his followers 'people of the sun' before being captured and strangled in Rome's Mamertine Prison
- The Pergamene library reportedly contained 200,000 volumes, second only to Alexandria
- Parchment became so closely associated with Pergamon (Aiolis) that the Latin word became 'Pergamina'
- The Great Altar of Zeus, now partially reconstructed in Berlin's Pergamon (Aiolis) Museum, features a gigantomachy frieze depicting the battle of gods and giants on an unprecedented scale
- Pergamene sculptures such as the Dying Gaul set the tradition of copying Greek masterpieces in Roman art
Related site: Pergamon Altar — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The Rise and Fall of Pergamon by toldinstone