Attalid Dynasty

Under the Attalids, Pergamum became a powerful city-state and a center of Hellenistic civilization.

Date: c. 282-133 b. c.e.

Category: Cities and civilizations

Locale: Ancient Pergamum, west central Anatolia, Turkey

Summary Philetaerus (c. 343-263 b. c.e.) was the founder of the Attalid (AHT-uh-lihd) Dynasty. With Roman support, Philetaerus freed himself (c. 282 b. c.e.) from the influence of rival powers in the area. With the treasure he had accumulated, he began the policy of the beautification of Pergamum continued by his successors. Efficient use of Pergamene resources as well as heavy taxation kept the treasury filled. The Attalids became known for their fabulous wealth. Eumenes I (r. 263-241 b. c.e.), nephew and successor ofPhiletaerus, continued the consolidation ofpower but could not rid Pergamum of the burdensome tribute exacted by the savage neighboring Gauls (Celts).

Kings of the Attalid Dynasty, c. 282-133 B. C.E.

Relief from the oppressors was achieved in 236 b. c.e. by his cousin and successor, Attalus I (269-197 b. c.e.; r. 241-197 b. c.e.), “the Savior,” first to be designated king. An excellent general and astute diplomat, Attalus conquered much of Asia Minor. Pergamum became the strongest military and economic power in the area. Because an important harbor, the nearby coastal city of Ephesus, was under its control, Pergamum also ranked as a maritime power. Eumenes II (r. 197-160/159 b. c.e.), eldest son of Attalus I, brought Pergamum to the zenith of its power and influence. He wanted his city to be successor to the Golden Age of Athens, and Pergamum became one of the principal conduits through which Greek culture and tradition passed into the Roman civilization. Pergamum became a major manufacturer and exporter of parchment, the scraped skins of calves and sheep to which the city gave its name, fine fabrics, pitch, and art objects. Artists flocked to the city and achieved a distinctive Pergamene style. The Pergamum library was second in size and excellence only to that of Alexandria, Egypt.

The great artistic achievement of Eumenes II was the construction of the Great Altar of Zeus (180-175 b. c.e.), one of the few top-level Hellenistic architectural and sculptural works. The altar’s eye-level frieze is filled with greater than life-size writhing and sinuous figures depicting the mythological battle between the gods and the giants but actually commemorating the battle with and victory overthe Gauls. Attalus II (r. 160/159-138 b. c.e.), second son of Attalus I, loyally supported and continued the policies of his brother, but by increasing dependence on Rome, he ultimately made Perga-mum a pawn of Roman policy. Attalus III (r. 138-133 b. c.e.), “the Benefactor,” successor of Attalus II, son of Eumenes II and last of the Attalids, was noted chiefly for his “Testament” ceding Pergamum to Rome.

Significance A remarkable group of rulers (except for its last member), the Attalids changed Pergamum from a minor hill fortress into an influential and powerful city-state as well as a major center of Hellenistic civilization.

Further Reading

Erskine, Andrew, ed. A Companion to the Hellenistic World. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell, 2003.

Fleming, William. “Pergamon.” In Arts and Ideas. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1997.

Hansen, Esther Violet. The Attalids ofPergamon. 2d ed. Ithaca, NY.: Cornell University Press, 1971.

Nis Petersen

See also: Eumenes II; Hellenistic Greece; Zeus at Pergamum, Great Altar of.