“Unearthed Secrets: Ancient ‘Mosaic House’ in Türkiye Could Reveal Hidden Royal Mysteries!”
This means that the grand complex was likely one of the royal family’s private residences.
Anadolu AgencyA detail of the mosaic floor.
The structure surrounded a stone courtyard with a pool, and inside that pool archaeologists found a tombstone bearing a touching inscription: “the sweetest child in the world.” It was also engraved with the image of a child with his dog on a rabbit hunt. Sezgin said the stone was likely removed from a tomb and repurposed when building the pool, and its discovery is significant “both for its emotional aspect and for providing insights into the social life of that period.”
Together, these finds offer new insight into life in the ancient city of Pergamon.
The Rise And Fall Of Pergamon, The ‘Second Athens’ Of The Ancient World
Adam Jones/Wikimedia CommonsThe Acropolis of Pergamon in modern-day Türkiye.
The ancient city of Pergamon was once a bustling hub of culture, learning, and innovation during the Hellenistic period. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon and a major cultural center of the Greek world.
Pergamon boasted one of the most significant libraries of its time — the Library of Pergamon — which was said to rival the famed Library of Alexandria. At one time, the library held more than 200,000 scrolls. This vast collection of knowledge was made possible by the city’s prolific production of parchment.
The city also housed significant architectural marvels, including the Great Altar of Pergamon, a monumental structure dedicated to the god Zeus, which featured intricate friezes depicting epic battles between gods and giants. The city’s theater was also one of the largest of its time, holding around 10,000 spectators.
