Perperene/Theodosiopolis is an important ancient settlement located in the fertile Kaikos (Bakırçay) valley, near the modern district of Bergama in İzmir province, within the ancient region of Mysia. Originally associated with pre-Hellenistic Anatolian culture under the name Perperene, the city was renamed Theodosiopolis in honor of Emperor Theodosius during the Late Roman period. This city experienced continuous settlement throughout antiquity due to both its agricultural wealth and its regional strategic location.

History

The history of Perperene, as its name suggests, has deep roots extending back to the pre-Hellenistic period. The name "Perperene" is derived from local Anatolian languages, indicating that the city was an important center even before the Hellenistic Period. From the 7th century BCE, the city came under Lydian rule, then Persian rule in the 6th century BCE, becoming part of the Hellenistic world with the conquests of Alexander the Great. In the post-Alexandrian period, it remained under the control of the Seleucids and then the Kingdom of Pergamon, respectively. Particularly during the Kingdom of Pergamon, it maintained its importance due to its strategic location in the Kaikos valley and its agricultural potential. Incorporated into the Roman provincial system with the rise of the Roman Empire in Anatolia in the 2nd century BCE, Perperene continued its development during the Roman period. In the 4th or 5th century CE, during the reign of Emperor Theodosius, the city's name was changed to Theodosiopolis. This name change can be associated with the city's reconstruction or increased strategic importance at that time, suggesting it gained a special status from the Empire. The city continued to exist during the Byzantine period but gradually lost its significance.

Geographic Location

Perperene/Theodosiopolis is situated in the heart of the ancient region of Mysia, in the fertile Kaikos (modern Bakırçay) valley. Located at geographical coordinates 39.240505 latitude and 26.962332 longitude, the city lies east of modern Bergama (ancient Pergamon), dominating the fertile plains watered by the Bakırçay River. This strategic location allowed the city to be favorable for agricultural production and to be situated on important trade routes. The Kaikos valley was renowned in antiquity for its production of grain, olive oil, and wine, and settlements like Perperene played a critical role in transporting these products to the Aegean coast and inland regions. Other important cities in its vicinity included centers such as Pergamon, Thyateira, and Stratonikeia, indicating that Perperene was part of a regional network of interaction.

Significance in Antiquity

The significance of Perperene/Theodosiopolis in antiquity largely stemmed from its geographical location and agricultural potential. Thanks to the fertile lands offered by the Kaikos valley, the city's economy was predominantly based on agriculture. The production and trade of products such as grain, olives, and grapes ensured the city's prosperity. This agricultural wealth transformed Perperene into a regional center for production and trade. Politically, the city may have functioned as a local administrative unit under the rule of various empires (Lydian, Persian, Hellenistic kingdoms, Roman). Particularly its renaming as Theodosiopolis during the Roman period suggests that the city gained strategic or cultural importance for the Empire, perhaps being strengthened as a new military or civil settlement. From a religious perspective, it is probable that, like many ancient cities in Anatolia, Perperene also hosted cults and temples dedicated to local Anatolian goddesses and later to the deities of the Hellenistic and Roman pantheon. These cults played a central role in the city's social and cultural life.

Coinage

Perperene is an ancient mint represented in the NumisTR database by 50 coin varieties. The recorded coins were struck in bronze. You can browse the city's coins in the Mysia coins list.

Archaeological Remains

Detailed and comprehensive information regarding the surviving archaeological remains of Perperene/Theodosiopolis is limited. Given the city's long history, it is probable that architectural foundations, pottery fragments, and other small finds have been encountered during surface surveys or partial excavations. However, significant monumental structures or a large-scale city plan have not yet been fully uncovered. It is believed that many of the ancient remains are buried underground or have been destroyed over time due to intensive agricultural activities and modern settlement in the region. Future archaeological work may bring to light structures from Perperene's pre-Hellenistic and Hellenistic periods, as well as architectural traces from Theodosiopolis's Roman and Byzantine periods, thereby providing more information about the city's urban fabric and life.

Today

The ancient remains of Perperene/Theodosiopolis are located today within the borders of the Bergama district, part of İzmir province in Turkey. The exact modern settlement corresponding to or near the city is often indicated in archaeological literature with general phrases such as "near Bergama" or "Kaikos valley." Access to Bergama is provided by road, and from there, local transportation options allow access to the archaeological sites in the region. Although the city is not an active excavation site, it serves as an important reference point for understanding the rich history of the ancient Mysia region and the Kaikos valley.