PERGAMON AND THE NEW VIEW OF THE WORLD

Greece has long been considered as the cradle of European culture. What tends to be overlooked is that the beginnings of Greek culture and the foundations of Western intellectual history are to be found in Asia Minor. Three thousand years ago Greek emigrants landed on the Aegean coast of what is today known as Turkey. Here they founded many settlements which became centers of trade, science and philosophy. In cities such as Smyrna (modern day Izmir), Milet, and Ephesos ideas came into being which formed the foundation for Plato’s and Aristotle’s writings. In Pergamon, with its huge library, the intellectual life of the Ionians later blossomed, and this was incomparably expressed in the Berlin Pergamon altar that is featured in this informative and entertaining program.