In the 4th century BCE, just outside the lower city of Pergamon, known for its fertile lands and abundant water resources, the Asklepion Sacred Area was established. Dedicated to Asklepios, the god of health and medicine, this sacred area served as both a medical and religious center in antiquity. During the 2nd century CE, with the reconstruction efforts initiated under Roman Emperor Hadrian, the Asklepion Sacred Area evolved into a comprehensive health and education center housing many structures. Thanks to Hadrian’s contributions, the area took its final form, including features such as the Sacred Way (Via Tecta), a monumental gate (Propylon), a large courtyard surrounded by colonnaded galleries (porticos), a theater, a library, the treatment building (Temple of Telesphoros), and the Temple of Zeus Asklepios. These structures allowed medical practices and educational activities to coexist within the sacred area.
Patients would reach the Pergamon Asklepion medical center through the Sacred Way, Via Tecta. This journey was believed to prepare them physically and spiritually for healing. Upon arrival at the center, they would participate in various rituals as part of the healing process. The treatment methods included dream therapy, water therapy, and the use of herbal medicines. In dream therapy, patients were believed to connect with the god Asklepios to find healing. Drinking or bathing in the sacred waters was also a significant part of the treatment. The theater within the Asklepion was used to boost the morale and motivation of patients, emphasizing that healing was not only a physical process but also a spiritual one. Therefore, entertainment, performances, and games were considered treatments aimed at improving the patients’ mental well-being.
The Pergamon Asklepion is known as the birthplace and early training ground of the famous Roman physician Galen. Additionally, the renowned Roman orator Aelius Aristides frequently visited the Asklepion to seek relief from his ailments and documented his experiences in the area in his work Sacred Tales (Hieroi Logoi). Aristides’ accounts provide valuable insights into the sacred area.
A major earthquake, believed to have occurred between 253 and 256 CE, caused significant destruction to the sacred area. After this earthquake, the Asklepion was not repaired and gradually lost its importance with the spread of Christianity. During the 14th century, when Pergamon came under Ottoman rule, a flood buried the Asklepion under layers of soil.
The Pergamon Asklepion was rediscovered in 1927 by Prof. Dr. Theodor Wiegand and Aziz Ogan, the founder of the İzmir Archaeological Museum. Excavations that began in 1928 brought the area to light. Today, the remains of the Asklepion offer visitors an opportunity to experience the rich legacy of ancient medicine.