Figure 162

© Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (CNG).
(Photographs courtesy of www.cngcoins.com)

Medallion from Laodicea ad Lycum. Struck under Caracalla (AD 198–217). Obv.: AYT K M AYP ANTΩNEINOC. Caracalla bust laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla (Year 88, AD 211–212). Rev.: ΛΑΟΔΙΚΕΩΝ ΝΕΩKOΡΩΝ TO ΠH three tetrastyle temples on a high podia; side-to-side 4 columns, left containing a statue of Caracalla (?), in the middle a four-column temple with the statue of Zeus with a scepter, and on the right a statue of Asclepius (SNGvA 2.3858).

Figure 82

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. (CNG)

Homonoia coin from Thyatira with Pergamum in Mysia. Obv.: AVT KAI L CEP CEOVHPOC PER. Bust of Moschios, magistrate laureate, draped, and cuirassed. Rev.: EPI CTP MOCX OV B PERGAMHNWN QUATEIRHNWN OMONOIA, Asclepius of Pergamum on the left, holding a serpent-entwined staff, and Apollo Tyrimnaeus of Thyatira standing to the right

Figure 70

© 2017 David E. Graves

Column in the courtyard of the entrance (propylon) of the Asclepion (hospital), from the lower site of Pergamum, decorated with three symbols of health: snakes, olive branches, and the wheel of life. Snakes were worshiped in the cult of Asclepius, the god of healing. The way serpents shed their skins to renew themselves became a symbol of new life. John stated that Satan lived in Pergamum, and some believe that this is one of the local references. The symbol of the intertwined snakes still decorates medical emblems today

Figure 61

© 2017 David E. Graves

The Pergamum Asclepion, the sanctuary of Asclepios Soter.

Legend

1). Small theater
2). North Stoa
3). Small Library
4). Via Tecta, Colonnaded Sacred Way leading to the Acropolis
5). Propylaeum and Forecourt
6). Cult niche
7). Temple of Asclepius
8). Treatment center
9). Cryptopoticus, a vaulted underground tunnel
10). South Stoa
11). Latrines
12). Southwest Hall
13). West Stoa
14). Hellenistic temple and Sacred Spring
15 & 16). Incubation complex
17). Pool
18). Peristyle House