Kingdom of Pergamum
Also known as the Pergamene Kingdom or the Attalid Dynasty of Attalid Kingdom, it was a Greek state during the Hellenistic period that ruled much of western Asia Minor. Its capital was the city of Pergamum. The Attalid Dynasty ruled it.
Pergamum and the region around it were first ruled by Lysimachus, one of Alexander the Great’s former generals. One of his lieutenants, Philataerus, rebelled and took control of the city, its treasury, and its environs. In 281 BC, Lysimachus was killed in battle by Seleucus (founder of the Seleucid Empire and Dynasty). So for a time, Pergamum was under the control of Seleucus. It had considerable autonomy and eventually became independent.
Upon his death in 263 BC, the kingdom passed to his adopted son Eumenes I, then on to Eumenes I’s heirs:
- Attalus I (241—197 BC)
- Eumenes II (197—159 BC)
- Attalus II (160—138 BC)
- Attalus III (138—133 BC)
- Eumenes III (133—129 BC)
The Kingdom of Pergamum was a close ally of Rome and sent troops and assistance to help Rome, as Rome did the same for Pergamum. In 188 BC, the Romans (aided by the Kingdom of Pergamum) defeated the Seleucids at the Battle of Magnesia. As part of the treaty ending the Roman-Seleucid war, the Kingdom of Pergamum (now ruled by King Eumenes II).
In 133, the last King of Pergamum died with no heir. He bequeathed his kingdom, comprising most of Western Asia Minor, to Rome. After Rome acquired these lands, it inclıuded them in a new Roman province, the Province of Asia.