The Pergamon Museum Collection is one of the most important and celebrated collections of ancient artifacts in the world. Located in Berlin, Germany, the museum houses a vast array of treasures from ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and the Near East. The collection is renowned for its impressive sculptures, frescoes, mosaics, and other artifacts. It is also home to one of the largest and most impressive ancient libraries in existence, the Pergamon Library.
History of the Pergamon Museum
The Pergamon Museum was founded in 1830 by the Prussian government. It was originally established as a research center for classical archaeology. The museum was initially housed in the Altes Museum, but it was moved to its current location in 1930. Since then, the collection has grown to include more than a million artifacts from all over the world.
Highlights of the Collection
The Pergamon Museum houses a number of impressive and unique artifacts from ancient civilizations. Among the most noteworthy items in the collection are:
- The Pergamon Altar: The Pergamon Altar is a 2nd century BCE marble structure that was originally located in the ancient Greek city of Pergamon. It is one of the most impressive and well-preserved ancient sculptures in the world.
- The Ishtar Gate: The Ishtar Gate is an 8th century BCE structure that was originally located in Babylon. It is covered in intricate glazed brickwork and is one of the most impressive and well-preserved ancient structures in the world.
- The Market Gate of Miletus: The Market Gate of Miletus is a 2nd century BCE marble gate that was originally located in the ancient Greek city of Miletus. It is one of the most impressive and well-preserved ancient structures in the world.
- The Mshatta Facade: The Mshatta Facade is a 9th century CE structure that was originally located in Jordan. It is covered in intricate carvings and is one of the most impressive and well-preserved ancient structures in the world.
The Pergamon Library
The Pergamon Library is one of the largest and most impressive ancient libraries in existence. It contains a vast array of books, scrolls, and other documents from ancient civilizations. It is renowned for its collection of Greek, Latin, and Arabic manuscripts, as well as its impressive selection of ancient maps and astronomical charts.
Notable Manuscripts
The Pergamon Library contains a number of notable manuscripts, including:
- The Archimedes Palimpsest: The Archimedes Palimpsest is a 10th century manuscript that contains the only surviving copies of several ancient Greek works by Archimedes. It is one of the most important and well-preserved manuscripts in the world.
- The Epic of Gilgamesh: The Epic of Gilgamesh is an ancient Mesopotamian epic poem that is one of the oldest surviving works of literature in the world. It is one of the most important and well-preserved manuscripts in the world.
- The Syriac Bible: The Syriac Bible is an ancient Bible written in the Syriac language. It is one of the most important and well-preserved manuscripts in the world.
- The Almagest: The Almagest is an ancient Greek astronomical treatise written by Ptolemy. It is one of the most important and well-preserved manuscripts in the world.
Conclusion
The Pergamon Museum is one of the most important and celebrated collections of ancient artifacts in the world. Its vast array of treasures, including the Pergamon Altar, the Ishtar Gate, the Market Gate of Miletus, the Mshatta Facade, and the Pergamon Library, are a testament to the rich history and culture of the ancient world.