Middle East Kingdoms

Pergamum

Pergamum, with its city and later kingdom situated near the Aegean coast of Asia Minor, was one of the Hellenic kingdoms formed from the relics of the Greek Empire. Initially part of the Lysimachian Empire, which was formed by one of Alexander the Great's generals, one of his officers took control of the city in 282 BC and claimed it as his own, although it remained within Greece's sphere of influence. It later became a loyal ally of Rome, fighting alongside Rome against the Macedonians.

ATTALID KINGS

Pergamum was ruled as a domain of the Lysimachian Empire during Philetaerus' lifetime. It was only with his cousin's later success against the Galatian Celts that an independent kingdom was proclaimed.

282 - 263 BC

Philetaerus

One of Lysimachus' officers.

263 - 241 BC

Eumenes I

Nephew.

241 - 197 BC

Attalus I Soter

First cousin.

230 BC

Attalus triumphs against the Celts and subsequently proclaims himself king.

200 BC

Attalus is apparently the trigger for the Second Macedonian War between Rome and Macedonia.

197 - 160 BC

Eumenes II

Son.

c.188 BC

Pergamum annexes Lydia around this point in time, after the Seleucids are defeated by Rome and Asia Minor is taken as a Roman province.

160 - 138 BC

Attalus II Philadelphus

Brother.

138 - 133 BC

Attalus III

Son of Eumenes II.

133 BC

Attalus bequeaths the state to Rome to avoid a likely succession crisis. The Romans are slow to take up their claim, so the illegitimate Eumenes III fills the power vacuum and tries to gather support.

133 - 129 BC

Eumenes III Aristonicus

Brother. Pretender.

131 BC

The first Roman army sent against Eumenes meets with failure.

129 BC

Eumenes is defeated and captured by a second Roman army. He is paraded through Rome and then executed.