ABSTRACT
Galen was born on an estate in Pergamum (also known as Pergamon), a city situated on the mainland almost opposite the island of Lesbos in Asia Minor. Pergamon lay inland in a fertile valley, and its hilltops were crowned by temples and theaters. Pergamon’s library rivaled Alexandria’s. Another distinguishing feature was the Asclepieion, or medical temple dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. This was a combination religious sanctuary, sanatorium, and place of recreation. Pergamon was one of the great seats of Christianity and held one of the seven churches mentioned by John the Apostle in Revelation (2:12-17). Because of these features, the city became one of the great pilgrimage and entertainment centers in the Roman world, and Galen grew up exposed not only to scholars but also to rhapsodists, musicians, tumblers, actors, and snakecharmers.
