The chief city in the kingdom of Syria was splendid and
luxurious Antioch. It lay in the narrow valley of the Orontes River, so close
to both the Euphrates and the Mediterranean that it soon became an important
commercial center. The city must have been a most delightful residence, with
its fine climate, its location on a clear and rapid stream, and the near
presence of the Syrian hills. In the sixth century A.D. repeated earthquakes
laid Antioch in ruins. The city never recovered its prosperity, though a modern
town, Antakia, still marks the site of the once famous capital.
PERGAMUM
Asia Minor, during this period, contained many Hellenistic
cities. One of the most important was Pergamum, the capital of a small but
independent kingdom of the same name. Its rulers earned the gratitude of all
the Greeks by their resistance to the terrible Gauls. About fifty years after
Alexander's death this barbarous people, pouring down from central Europe, had
ravaged Greece and invaded Asia Minor. The kings of Pergamum celebrated their
victories over the Gauls with so many works of architecture and sculpture that
their city became the artistic rival of Athens.
RHODES
One other great Hellenistic center existed in the island
city of Rhodes. Founded during the closing years of the Peloponnesian War,
Rhodes soon distanced Athens in the race for commercial supremacy. The
merchants of Rhodes framed admirable laws, especially for business affairs, and
many of these were incorporated in the Roman code. Rhodes was celebrated for
art. No less than three thousand statues adorned the streets and public
buildings. It was also a favorite place of education for promising orators and
writers. During Roman days many eminent men, Cicero and Julius Caesar among
them, studied oratory at Rhodes.
