PERGAIIOS, or PERQA3IUM, the most important town In Mysia, first mentioned in Xenophon's Anabasis' (vii. 8, s. 8), was situ ated north of the river Caicus, on a small stream named Silenus. It was strongly fortified by nature and art, and was chosen by Lysimachns, when ruler of the north-west part of Asia Minor, as the most secure place in his dominions for depositing his treasures. Philetterus, to whom he entrusted his treasures, declared his inde pendence about n.c. 233, and remained master of the town and a small part of the surrounding country till his death n.o. 263. He was suc ceeded by his nephew Eumanea, who increased his dominions', and even gained a victory near Sardis, over Antiochus son of Seleucus. Ho reigned for 22 yearn, and was succeeded, B.O. 241, by his cousin Attains I., who assumed the title of King. Attalus was a successful gene ral, and his prudence as well as his valour greatly extended the limits of his kingdom. lie died at the age of 72, after a reign of 44 years, and was succeeded, B.O. 197, by his son Eumenes, who, like Attains, was a firm friend of the Rowena, and in conseqnence of his services iu their wars against Antiochus and the kings of Macedonia, received from them all the territory conquered from Antiochus on this side of Mount Taurus. Eumenos embellished the city with many public
buildings, and founded a library, which became only second in import ance to that of Alexandria. The library remained at Pergamos till Antonius made a present of it to Cleopatra.
The history of the kings of Pcrgamos is given in an Appendix to Clinton's Fasti Hellenici ' (iii. 400-410).
Pergamos was a considerable town, and possessed many public buildings, of which the most celebrated was a temple of eEsculapiue, which possessed the right of asylum. (Tee., ' Ann., iii. 63; App., ' c. GO.) Pergamos was one of the seven churches to which St. John wrote in the book of the Revelation (i. 11 ; ii. 12). It con tinued to be the capital of the Roman province of Asia. The modern town, which is called Bergma, is still a place of considerable import ance. Mr. Fellows, who visited it in 1133, says (` Excursion in Asia Minor,' p. 34), that " it is as busy and thriving as heavy taxation will allow, and hats seven or eight khans." It contains many extensive mints. Mr. Fellows informs 119 (p. 34) that the walls of the Turkish houses are full of the relics of marbles, with ornaments of the richest Grecian art.