Pergamon to Athens

OVERVIEW

The lands of the Aegean were shaped by some of the ancient Mediterranean’s most influential civilisations. Greek city-states flourished alongside the great Hellenistic kingdoms of the Antigonids, Seleucids, Ptolemies and Attalids. The Attalids, for example, had made Pergamon one of the great centres of Hellenistic art, learning and power before the kingdom fell under Rome, which added new layers to the city. Byzantines and Ottomans too would add further layers to this extraordinary cultural landscape.

This tour follows the rich cultural history of the Aegean world. Beginning in Istanbul, where the Byzantine and Ottoman heritage of the city provides a striking introduction to the region’s layered past, the tour turns to the Hellenistic world at Pergamon. Its magnificent Acropolis, Library and Temple of Trajan, together with the healing sanctuary of Asklepion, reveal the intellectual, political and religious importance of the Attalid kingdom. At Izmir, ancient Smyrna, we witness the continuing life of the Greek city within the Roman world, while Teos and Ephesus introduce us to the remarkable urban culture of the Aegean.

At Ephesus, one of the ancient world's great cities, we explore its celebrated streets and terrace houses, visit the archaeological museum and Basilica of St John, and continue to Aphrodisias, renowned for its exceptional sculpture. Priene and the great Mausoleum of Halicarnassus lead us to Bodrum, ancient Halicarnassus, where the theatre, Myndos Gate and castle of the Knights of St John reflect the region's changing fortunes.

Crossing the Aegean by ferry to Kos, we encounter sanctuaries, an ancient agora, Roman Odeon and Asklepion, before flying to Athens. Here, the National Archaeological Museum, Acropolis and Acropolis Museum bring the journey full circle, returning us to the classical Greek world whose ideas and artistic traditions shaped so much of the Mediterranean.