Pergamon

Pergamon's multi-layered cultural landscape reveals significant shifts during the Byzantine period, marked by distinct phases of fortification and urban development. A notable peak in coin finds during Constans II's reign (7th century) links to the Arab capture of Smyrna, while a near absence of datable artifacts in the middle Byzantine era suggests abandonment or minimal activity. Evidence resurfaces in the 12th century with renewed fortifications against Turkish threats and the emergence of a potential cathedral within the fortress. The late Byzantine period saw further densification and fortification, but the 14th-century Turkish conquest reverted settlement to the Roman city below. This study leverages archaeological evidence—particularly coins—to reconstruct Pergamon's dynamic history, illustrating its resilience and adaptation amid geopolitical changes.

Otten, T. (2017). Pergamon. The Archaeology of Byzantine Anatolia, 226–230. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190610463.003.0018