Map

The Red Hall (or Red Basilica) is named after the color of the bricks that the building was made of. Originally it is a Roman shrine dedicated to an Egyptian gods Isis and Serapis. Built on river Selinus, this impressive construction is a clear sign of Roman architectural achievements. It is located at the footstep of the ancient acropolis.it was part of a larger complex covering an area of 270 x 100 meters whereby the temple is 60x20 meters in size. In Early Christian Era, it was converted into a basilica. The red brick walls were once covered of which none survived. On the eastern side there are tow rotundas covered with domes each 12 meters in diameter and 18 meters high. The one on the north is now used as a mosque.

Pergamon was one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. The history of the city goes back to ancient times and being the capital of Pergamon Kingdom (283-133 BC) it was the unofficial capital of Hellenistic Era, a center for political power, culture and art. St. John mentions Pergamon (revelations 2:12-17) stating this is where the Satan had his throne. Scholars agree that he mentions famous Zeus Altar built in 3rd c. BC to commemorate triumph of Pergamons over Galatians. The altar now is in Pergamon Museum in Berlin. The faith of the Pergamon is similar to other towns in the western part of Anatolia. In the Ottoman era, it was a multi-ethnic and multi-religious town where, as records show that there were Muslim Turks, Orthodox Greeks, Jews and Armenians. WWI and Greek Occupation, which is followed by migration exchange between Greece and Turkey upon victory of the Turkish army and the foundation of Republic of Turkey. Now being a main tourist attraction due to ancient site, it is also one of the main stops for Christian pilgrims to commemorate the Seven Churches of Revelation.

Red Basilica is a very good example of how predominant religion of the regions shaped religious shrines. Roman and Ottoman Empire are quite interesting examples where multi-ethnic and multi-religious society lived in harmony. Romans did not worship only to their original deities but they had imported cults from different parts of their empire. Having a temple dedicated to Egyptian gods is a very good example for that. However during the Middle Ages, the Christian rulers turned their land into a mono-religion geographies though there were different orders (or sects). The Ottoman era saw again a multi-religion period but with the rise of nationalist movements in the 19th century pushed for the emergence on ethnicity based states.

The multi-ethnic and multi-religion society of Pergamon enjoyed decades of prosperity in the 19th century until the break of WWI. Even the city had a mixed population; demographic structure was well defined by districts as Bergama Çayı (Silenos River) dividing Muslim and Christian districts. Today since there is no Christian or Jew population in the city, there is no religious influence to speak of.

The didactical relevance and the proposed way to use with the students:
- Direct visit
A direct visit, if possible, would be the best way for students to experience the atmosphere of the place.
- Virtual visit (specify how)
A PPT presentation prepared by the tutor enriched with visuals.
- Classroom activity (pre- and post- visit)
Pre-visit activity: A research by students on Roman religion paying special attention to foreign cults.
Research on Zeus Altar of Pergamon.
Post-visit:
- Discussion on why St. John called Zeus Altar as the throne of Satan.
Discussion on why Romans showed tolerance to different cults but not to Christianity.