Roman Temples are found all along the coast of Turkey. The Temple of Trajan, also called Trajaneum, is one of the most
spectacular structures in Pergamon‘s Upper Acropolis area. It is also
the only Roman monument in this location. The construction of the temple was initiated under the Roman emperor
Trajan (hence it’s name) and completed by his successor Hadrian. The
purpose of the temple was to provide a venue for the religious cult of
both rulers as well as Zeus. Since Hellenistic times, the worship of
rulers as gods had become customary in Asia Minor. As the monument of
Roman domination, the Trajaneum’s purpose was to strengthen the bonds of
Pergamon with Rome and with the Imperial family. The Trajaneum’s
position, dominating the summit, was like a propaganda statement
concerning who was the ruler of the city and the province. The Temple of
Trajan was the fourth imperial cult temple to be built in the province
of Asia.
The Temple of Trajan was uncovered and examined in the years 1879-1880
and 1885 by an architect H. Stiller, but for decades the ruins were left
as they had been found. In the 1960’s the Turkish Administration
initialized the process of its restoration. The challenge was taken up
by German Archaeological Institute (DAI) that provided the initiative to
re-examine the building. Preparations started in 1965 and in 1976 the
restoration program was approved by the Turkish Directorate of
Antiquity. The reconstruction started with the halls which would be
easier to re-construct because of the weight and dimensions of working pieces.
Due to the preservation of complete pieces, columns in particular, the
northern hall offered the most promising preconditions. The
reconstruction lasted until 1994 with the cooperation of architects,
archaeologists and stonemasons from various European countries working
with numerous Turkish specialists. The Trajaneum was splendidly
reconstructed through anastylosis (the reassembly of existing, but
loose parts) by German archaeologists.