Principal Hellenistic center and later a thriving Roman province, Pergamum (also accepted as Pergamon in written documentation) ,enjoyed an era of prosperity that endured for almost 400 years. Just on the outskirts of modern-day Bergama, Pergamum boasts one of Turkey''s finest archaeological sites in the Acropolis, with its Temple of Athena, the remnants of the great library, the Altar of Zeus,the spectacular hillside theater, and the Agora.The Asklepion was the world''s first medical center , using groundbreaking techniques in healing such as bathing,dieting,exercise,and dream therapy.Down the road is the crumbling but impressive Red Basilica, originally a temple honoring Serapis (known in Egypt as Osiris), later to become a Byzantine church and one of the seven churches of Asia Minor mentioned by St. John in the Book of Revelation.