The Pergamon Altar is the most famous artifact in the Berlin Collection of Classical Antiquities, now housed in the Pergamon Museum. The altar was constructed on the acropolis in the ancient city of Pergamon during the reign of King Eumenes II c. 2nd century BC. The altar measuring 35.64 meters/appx 117 feet wide and 33.4 meters/109.5 feet deep is decorated with a frieze in sculptural relief that depicts the battle between the Giants and the Olympian gods known as the Giantomachy. On the top level of the altar, a second frieze depicts the events of the life of Telephus, legendary founder of the city of Pergamon and son of Heracles and Auge, a daughter of the Tegean king of Aleus. Between 1878 and 1886, the ancient acropolis was officially excavated by the German engineer, Carl Humann, his purpose being the rescue of the friezes of the Pergamon Altar. The Turkish government participated in the excavation and agreed that all fragments of the frieze would become the property of the Berlin museums. The original building on the Museum Island in Berlin that housed the fragments of the frieze was erected in 1901, then, because it was too small for the collection, was demolished in 1909 and replaced with the current building, which opened in 1930.

PHOTOS: Top Two:  1. A diorama on view near the exhibition of the Pergamon Altar depicting the acropolis of the ancient city of Pergamon. The red arrow points to the Pergamon Altar. Middle Two: 1. A model of the Pergamon Altar displayed in the Pergamon Museum. 2. Detail: The Greek goddess Artemis  is depicted in the Giantomacy on the frieze of the Pergamon Altar. Bottom Two: 1. The Pergamon Altar as seen in the Pergamon Museum. 2. Detail of the columned portico of the Pergamon Altar.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE