Perge, one of the most powerful cities of ancient Pamphylia, is located in southeastern Turkey, approximately 15 km from modern-day Antalya. The city thrived due to its strategic position in the fertile Pamphylian valley, near the River Kestros, which facilitated trade and transportation. Perge experienced its heyday during the Roman Imperial period, becoming a major commercial and cultural hub adorned with monumental architecture, including baths, a stadium, a theatre, and nymphaeums. Renowned for its cult of Artemis Pergaia, Perge also played a significant role in the spread of Christianity, hosting early Christian communities and bishops. Today, Perge stands as an important archaeological site, attracting visitors from around the world.
Perge’s history spans from the late 4th millennium BC to late antiquity. Initially under Hittite control in the 13th century BC, it was later settled by Achaeans after the Trojan War, according to mythological tradition. In the 7th century BC, colonists from Rhodes arrived, and the city came under Lydian control in the 6th century BC. After the Lydians were defeated, Perge became part of the Persian Empire in 547 BC. It joined the Delian League in 425 BC but returned to Persian control after the Peace of Antalcidas in 387 BC. Alexander the Great subjugated the city in 334 BC, and it later became contested between the Seleucids and Ptolemies.
Following the Peace of Apamea in 190 BC, Perge came under the Kingdom of Pergamon and, in 133 BC, under Roman rule. During the Roman Imperial period, Perge flourished, becoming a major economic and cultural centre. However, the city faced challenges, including piracy and Roman exploitation, which led to its decline in late antiquity. By the 7th century AD, most inhabitants had left, and the city eventually fell under Seljuk and Ottoman control.
View of the colonnaded Cardo Maximus and Decumanus from the Acropolis.
Plancia Magna, a prominent and influential figure in Perge during the Roman Imperial period, made considerable contributions to the city. A member of a noble family, she was the wife of Roman senator Julius Cornutus Tertullus and daughter of Marcus Plancius Varus, a consul and provincial commander. Known for her generosity, she funded major construction projects in Perge during Hadrian’s reign, including monumental additions to the Hellenistic gate. She held prestigious titles, including supreme archon, priestess of Artemis Pergaia, and high priestess of the imperial cult, and was honoured with statues and inscriptions throughout the city.
The city was divided into four quarters by two main colonnaded streets, the decumanus maximus and cardo maximus, which featured arcades, shops, and a central water channel. Key structures include the Hellenistic gate with monumental towers and marble-clad walls, the northern baths, the agora with a central tholos, and the northern nymphaeum adorned with statues. The city also housed a stadium seating 12,000 spectators, one of the best-preserved in Asia Minor, and a theatre with a capacity of 15,000, featuring intricate reliefs depicting mythological scenes.
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The outer gate, built during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus in the 4th century AD. Both sides of the gate were protected by high towers.The gate opens into a courtyard, also constructed during the reign of Septimius Severus, and the city beyond.The Southern Nymphaeum (fountain), built on the orders of Aurelia Paulina between AD 198 and 211 in the courtyard of Septimius Severus.The monumental nymphaeum was dedicated to Artemis Pergaia (the local goddess of Perge) and the imperial family of Septimius Severus.Τhe central courtyard (palaestra) with Ionic colonnade of the South Baths. This monumental baths complex dates to the reigns of Trajan (98-117) or Hadrian (117-138) and was reconstructed in the reign of Septimius Severus (193-235).The palaestra of the South Baths, used for the physical exercise of the young.Room IV of the South Baths with a swimming pool (natatio), measuring 20×13 m. It was functionally connected with the palaestra.The Tepidarium (Room II) of the South Baths, measuring with a system for the circulation of hot air (hypocausts) running under the marble floor of the room.Inscribed statue base dedicated to Hadrian in Southern Baths, IK Perge 112, dated AD 131-132.The South Baths.The Hellenistic City Gate with two circular towers, dating to the 3rd century BC, was later renovated by Plancia Magna in the 2nd century AD.Monumental triple arch commissioned by Plancia Magna, a local elite woman and prominent benefactress, during the early reign of Hadrian.The interior horseshoe-shaped courtyard of the Hellenistic city gate, reconstructed in the early 2nd century AD by Plancia Magna, with niches where statues once stood, Perge.Artist reconstruction of the cardo maximus with the Hellenistic gate complex and the honorific arch. Balage Balogh / archaeologyillustrated.comStatue bases of Hadrian’s imperial family set up by Plancia Magna and placed on the monumental triple arch commissioned by her during the early reign of Hadrian.The colonnaded Cardo Maximus, the main north-south street running through the heart of the city.The Cardo Maximus is flanked on both sides by impressive marble columns, which once formed covered porticoes or walkways for pedestrians, providing shade and shelter for shoppers and citizens.A unique feature of Perge’s main street is a narrow water channel running down the middle. Water from the northern nymphaeum (monumental fountain) flowed through this channel, supplying fresh water to the city and adding to the street’s grandeur.The Cardo Maximus was paved with large stone slabs, and ruts worn by thousands of chariots are still visible in the original flagstones. Numerous shops and public buildings, some with mosaic floors, lined the street, making it the city’s primary commercial and social artery.Inscribed statue base along the Cardo Maximus dedicated to Hadrian, IK Perge 113, dated AD 131-132.Inscribed statue base along the Cardo Maximus dedicated to Hadrian, IK Perge 115, dated AD 131-132.The northern section of the colonnaded Cardo Maximus.
The northern section of the colonnaded Cardo Maximus and the Arch of Demetrius and Apollonius, a monumental Roman arch built around AD 80 and located at the intersection of the city’s two main colonnaded streets.The so-called Arch of Demetrius and Apollonius, a monumental Roman arch built around AD 80. This single-arched gate stood nearly 11 meters tall, but today only the square pylon legs remain.The northern section of the colonnaded Cardo Maximus.
The North Nymphaeum, located at the northern end of the Cardo Maximus. It is dated to the Hadrianic period.Artist reconstruction of North Nymphaeum. It was a double-storied pi-shaped nymphaeum, with two projecting side wings fronted by columnar façades. Balage Balogh / archaeologyillustrated.comThe statuary display of the North Nymphaeum included two life-sized portraits of Hadrian, one cuirassed and the other heroically nude (see here).The Western Colonnaded Street (Decumanus Maximus), one of the city’s two main arteries.The Western Colonnaded Street, one of the city’s two main arteries, is a roughly 460-meter-long, 8-meter-wide thoroughfare that runs from the main street intersection toward the Palaestra and Northern Baths.Lined with Corinthian or Ionic columns, the porticoes of the Western Colonnaded Street provided pedestrians with shaded walkways and served as a location for shops.The Western Colonnaded Street (Decumanus Maximus) with the gymnasium-palaestra complex donated by C. Iulius Cornutus Bryoninus, Iulia Tertulla and Iulia Severa and dedicated to the Emperor Claudius. The building was erected of travertine on a square plan, with sides measuring 76 meters.The facade of the gymnasium-palaestra complex.Inscriptions along the Western Colonnaded Street (Decumanus Maximus).North West City Gate, Perge, the monumental entrance gate at the western end of the Decumanus Maximus.The Caracalla Nymphaeum, a semi-circular monumental fountain located at the end of the Decuman Maximus. It was constructed on a raised podium and embellished with statues of gods and goddesses, as well as of Emperor Caracalla.The Agora/Macellum, a square-shaped (51m x 51m) surrounded by colonnades and shops built in the 4th century AD.The northern side of the Agora/Macellum.The circular structure in the centre of the Agora/Macellum served as a fountain.
View of the Theatre, located outside the city walls on the western side, was closed to the public in October 2025. Probably built around 120 AD, could accommodate approximately 15,000 spectators.The Stadium. Built in the second half of the 1st century AD, it could accommodate 12,000 spectators.The stadium of Perge is one of the best-preserved ancient stadiums in Asia Minor. Constructed in the latter part of the 1st century AD, it measures 234 meters in length and contains twelve rows of seating.The northern end of the Stadium where bloody gladiator fights took place.The Stadium.The Stadium features barrel-vaulted construction with 30 vaults on the longer side and 9 on the northern end.View of the South Baths from the top of the Stadium.View of the fortification walls and towers from the top of the Stadium.View of the fortification towers and the South Baths from the top of the Stadium.The Southern Basilica has three naves and a narthex, dating to the 6th century AD.
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