Perga

Turkey

Also known as: Murtana, Murtina, Perge

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Article History

Greek:: Perge

Modern:: Murtina or Murtana

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Perga, ancient city of Pamphylia, now in Antalya il (province), Turkey. It was a centre of native culture and was a seat of the worship of “Queen” Artemis, a purely Anatolian nature goddess.

In Perga St. Paul, the Apostle, and St. Barnabas began their first mission in Anatolia (Acts of the Apostles 13:13). A difficult mountain route into Phrygia began at Perga, and Alexander the Great used it for his invasion of the interior. Long the chief city of the district of Pamphylia Secunda, Perga was superseded in Byzantine times by its port, Attaleia, which became a metropolis in 1084. The most notable remains at Perga include a theatre, a stadium, two basilicas, and the agora..

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kenneth Pletcher.