Tag: Discovering Bergama

Where History Unfolds

Bergama’s Historical Tapestry

Bergama, known as the cradle of psychotherapy and the birthplace of parchment, welcomes visitors with a rich history that once hosted Lydians, Persians, and Greeks. The city’s name, derived from Pergamos or Pergamum, meaning “castle,” has deep roots in mythology. The renowned hero Achilles’ grandson, Pergamon, fled Greece, triumphed in a duel against Kir and Areos in Anatolia, and established the city atop Acropolis Hill, naming it after himself. Positioned at the confluence of Bakircay and the sea, Bergama gradually shifted inland over time due to substantial sedimentation.

The Parchment Saga

Eumenes II, King of Bergama, erected the Royal Library, once among the ancient world’s largest libraries. A fierce competition with Alexandria Library led to an embargo on papyrus, pushing the people of Bergama to seek alternative materials. This quest resulted in the disco