DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14144#0570
534
PLASTIC ART IN PERGAMON.
CHAPTER XLVI.
PLASTIC ART IN PERGAMON.
We have seen that in the service of great conquerors and despotic
sovereigns like Alexander and his successors plastic art was chiefly
employed in commemorating the warlike achievements of its patrons.
The historic element, not indeed unknown in preceding periods, now
becomes predominant in Hellenic art, and especially so in the city
of Pergamon, in Mysia, best known in history as the capital of the
rich and powerful Attalida:.
This famous dynasty was founded about the year 283 b.c. by
Philetaerus, a Pontian, whom Lysimachus made governor of Per-
gamon. It seems to have been rather from fear of the machina-
tions of Arsinoe, the wife of his patron, than from deliberate
treachery that Philetaerus was induced to join the party of Se-
lcucus, who confirmed him in his governorship. It is no slight proof
of his ability that amidst the changes and perils of those troublous
times he managed to maintain himself in a certain degree of inde-
pendence of his more powerful neighbours, and to hand down his
power to his rightful heirs. He was succeeded in 263 li.c. by his
nephew, Eumcnes L, who not only maintained but extended his
dominions and consolidated his power, so that his successor, the
famous Attalus L, was in a position to assume the title as well as the
authority of king. Attalus was wise enough to foresee the triumph
of the Romans in their struggle with the splendid but brittle mon-
archies of Asia, and to seek strength and safety in dutiful submis-
sion to a power which he knew to be irresistible.
We shall see hereafter that the connexion between the Attalida:
and the Romans is a fact of considerable importance in the history of
PLASTIC ART IN PERGAMON.
CHAPTER XLVI.
PLASTIC ART IN PERGAMON.
We have seen that in the service of great conquerors and despotic
sovereigns like Alexander and his successors plastic art was chiefly
employed in commemorating the warlike achievements of its patrons.
The historic element, not indeed unknown in preceding periods, now
becomes predominant in Hellenic art, and especially so in the city
of Pergamon, in Mysia, best known in history as the capital of the
rich and powerful Attalida:.
This famous dynasty was founded about the year 283 b.c. by
Philetaerus, a Pontian, whom Lysimachus made governor of Per-
gamon. It seems to have been rather from fear of the machina-
tions of Arsinoe, the wife of his patron, than from deliberate
treachery that Philetaerus was induced to join the party of Se-
lcucus, who confirmed him in his governorship. It is no slight proof
of his ability that amidst the changes and perils of those troublous
times he managed to maintain himself in a certain degree of inde-
pendence of his more powerful neighbours, and to hand down his
power to his rightful heirs. He was succeeded in 263 li.c. by his
nephew, Eumcnes L, who not only maintained but extended his
dominions and consolidated his power, so that his successor, the
famous Attalus L, was in a position to assume the title as well as the
authority of king. Attalus was wise enough to foresee the triumph
of the Romans in their struggle with the splendid but brittle mon-
archies of Asia, and to seek strength and safety in dutiful submis-
sion to a power which he knew to be irresistible.
We shall see hereafter that the connexion between the Attalida:
and the Romans is a fact of considerable importance in the history of