Perge

Settled inland as protection against pirates, Perge is one of the foremost archaeological attractions in Turkey's southern coast and home to one of mathematics' greatest figures.

Greeks came from central Anatolia around 1000 BC and settled Perge along with Sillyon, Aspendos and Side to form what became known as Pamphylia, the 'land of the tribes'. However, there is evidence that prior to this was a settlement by the Hittites, the mysterious lost empire that founded Hattusas, who probably founded a settlement 500 years earlier.  

Part of the attraction of Perge - which is also known as Perga and still pronounced as such - is that it lay on a navigable river, allowing it to function as a port while maintaining defence against pirate raids. As with all the Greek colonies in Anatolia, the Persians overran the city during the sixth century BC and from 546 to 330 BC, Perge lay under the Achaemenid yoke. Yet the inhabitants did not forget their western origins and when the Macedonian Alexander the Great appeared in 330 BC, the citizens sent out guides to lead him to Perge.

In the division of the conqueror's empire, the city became part of the Seleucids' domain and it was from around 262 to 190 BC that one of the most famous inhabitants, Apollonius, lived. His writings on sections from slicing cones influenced such great thinkers as Descartes and Newtown and coined the words ellipse, parabola and hyperbola, nomenclature for certain curves we still use today.

While Greek rule saw much development for Perge, the majority of the remains are from the Roman period, which began in 188 BC.

At its peak, Perge was home to many and one of the main attractions for visitors is the opportunity to view the theatre that once held 12,000 people in a U-shaped arrangement. The acropolis, or citadel, also remains in ruins, with temples to the goddesses Artemis and Tyche, the bringer of luck, laying scattered around the site. Roman baths also remain, as does a Greek gate that was converted into a court of honour by female ruler of the city Plancia Magna.

It was during later Roman rule that the city also gained visitors who draw in later tourists. Saint Paul, accompanied by Saint Barnabas, preached his first sermon in the city and returned to it later on. Modern pilgrims still like to return to the site of the Apostle's preaching. Another major draw for Christian visitors are the remains of the basilica which has three entrances. 

However, for other, more worldly, visitors, a large attraction is the claim that Perge is the birthplace of beer. While Egypt and Mesopotamian scholars fiercely contest this claim, legend claims that beer was created by accident here.

While the city flourished under the Romans, following the collapse of the empire in the east, Perge fell also, though it remained inhabited for some parts of Muslim rule, leaving picturesque remains for visitors to take in.

Did you know that Turkey has two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? Click here to find out more.