Perge, Turkey

It is one of the best protected ancient cities of Turkey. Name of Perge passes as Parha in a bronze tablet, which is captured in the excavations, made on Bogazkoy, which is the capital city of Hittites. Therefore, it indicated that Perge is also known in Hittite period. It is stated in the epigraph on the sculpture base, which is detected in the place, where oldest entrance gate of the city is located, that Perge is established by Kalchas and Mopsos in B.C. 12th Century after Trojan Wars. Perge city comes into existence until Alexander the Great comes in B.C. 333. Perge enters under rule of Alexander the Great and then respectively, Ptolemaios in B.C. 323, Kingdom of Pergamon in B.C. 190, Roman Empire in B.C. 133. City, beginning to develop in Hellenistic period, makes great progresses. Current excavations, are also exhibited in Antalya museum. The theatre building of the city is Helen-Roman style and is a structure with capacity of 15000 people. Stage building with two floors, of the theatre, constructed in Roman age, is constructed after A.D. 150. Mythological scenes belonging to god of river Kestros and god of wine Dionysus, are located in the reliefs in stage building. A nymphaion with five niches was located in the exteriror surface of stage building. Guard rails, surrounding the orchestra, are made due to the gladiator shows, made in the theatres, in Late Roman period. One of the best protected structures, in Late Roman period. One of the best protected structures of Perge is the stadium, constructed in A.D. 2nd Century and having capacity for 12000 people. City gate is likely to be constructed during the period of Hadrian, an entrance gate is constructed in front of this gate during the period of Septimius Severus and city gate, which is constructed later on, belongs to A.D. 4th Century. Nymphaion and propylon structures, constructed during the period of emperor Septimius Severus(193-211), are located after these structures. Ancient City Gate, having one round tower in both sides, is oldest structure of Hellenistic period, in Perge. Courtyard with horseshoe style, which is constructed by the order pf Plancia Magna, daughter of Bithynia Governr Plancius Varus in 120-122 years, is located after such gate. City wall is constructed in Hellenistic period. Christianity period church with abscissa in the east, agora, which is a small area surrounded with shops and extended in A.D. 4th Century, Roman baths, bishopric basilica, baths, colonnaded street palaestra, which is constructed in A.D. 41-54 and protected well, Nymphaion, belonging to Hadrianus period and other colonnaded street are the other important structure remains, may be first settlement place in Perge. Necropolis areas are also located at the east and west side of Acropolis.

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