Overview of the Altar
The Altar of Zeus is the most impressive structure on the mountain in Pergamum. It was built by Eumenes II, but today, only a small part of its original beauty remains. The altar was located at the southern end of the upper city and offered a stunning view of the valley below The Asklepeion in Pergamum.
The altar was made of marble and was nearly square in shape, measuring 112 feet by 118 feet (34 meters by 36 meters). A partial reconstruction of the altar is on display at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
The Frieze An Artistic Masterpiece
One of the most important features of the altar is its frieze. The frieze is 365 feet long and 7.5 feet high (34 meters by 2.2 meters), and it is made up of 118 panels. The frieze shows a battle between gods and giants, likely symbolizing Pergamum’s victory over the Galatians. Ekrem Akurgal, a famous Turkish archaeologist, described it as “the most significant artistic achievement of the Hellenistic age.”
Religious Significance Zeus and Athena Nike
Most scholars believe the altar was dedicated to Zeus and Athena Nike, the goddess of victory. Some scholars also connect the altar to a mention in Revelation 2:13, where it says that Pergamum is the place “where Satan’s throne is.” This has led some to believe the altar was the “throne of Satan” referred to in the Bible City Tours Istanbul.
However, the Book of Revelation was likely written in the context of emperor worship (the Imperial Cult). So, it is more likely that the Temple of Augustus in Pergamum—one of the first temples built to honor a Roman emperor—was actually the “throne of Satan” mentioned in Revelation. Although this temple has not been fully identified in the excavations, some ancient coins from Pergamum show an image of the temple of Augustus with the emperor’s head on the other side.
