Photoset: The Temple of Trajan on the Upper Acropolis of Pergamon (Turkey)

Today we celebrate the anniversary of the accession of Trajan to the imperial throne (28 January 98 AD). As a tribute, here is a selection of images from the Temple of Trajan at Pergamon, an ancient Greek city in Aeolis.

The Temple of Trajan (Trajaneum) was one of the most spectacular structures built on the upper acropolis of Pergamon. It is situated at the highest point of the acropolis and is the only building that is truly Roman. Its construction started around 114 AD during the reign of Trajan but was completed after his death during the rule of Hadrian. Both Emperors were worshipped here. The temple was surrounded by Corinthian columns on all sides (peripteros), with six on the short side and nine on the long side. The temple suffered much from several earthquakes and ended up in ruins.

Between 1976 and 1994, restoration works were carried out by the German Archaeological Institute. Statues of Trajan and Hadrian were found which are now in the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. New excavations also revealed previous constructions such as terraced residential and trade buildings from the Hellenistic period.

Video: 3D visualisation of the sanctuary of Trajan

—-

Read more: The Temple of Trajan – My Favorite Planet; Temple of Trajan