This is the gate Paul would have passed through upon entering Perge.
Not much is said about Perge (or Perga) in the Bible.
Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia.
Acts 13:13
Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
Acts 14:25
Olympic type races and horse races were held here.
The theatre
The coins of Perge represent their goddess and her temple.
The Hittites first settled Perge in 2000 BC. Greeks took it over and then the Romans.
The city had 50,000-100,000 people in the 1st - 3rd century.
The Roman baths
There were cold baths, warm baths and hot baths. Also steam baths. There was a furnace room and the hot air was piped under the floor to the rooms.
The room closest to the furnace was the hot baths.
Ingenious for 2,000 years ago I'd say!
Underground chambers for heating system.
The agora, the marketplace of the day.
Paul was going to his own "backyard" of his day. Tarsus was similar in culture. He is quite familiar with the Jewish people in this Gentile territory. He would understand the Jewish culture but also the Romans. He was ideally suited to preach the Gospel.
Interesting birds!
We enjoyed getting to know Lilli. She is originally from South Africa and as a child lived on a sailboat and sailed the world with her family. She is very friendly and each day the question was "What new friend will Lilli make today?"
The water system of the Romans that ran through the center of the city.
Chariots left ruts in the pavement.
Belgin showed us that they have covered the mosaic tiles with fabric and rocks to protect them.
Jim, my friend Sarah's brother, was our main teacher.
We went to Israel with him too.
Along with Jim, we were privileged to also learn from 2 professors, Don and Tim.
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