Perga
Per'ga
(Πέργη), an ancient and important city of Pamphylia, in Asia Minor, situated on the river Cestrus, at a distance of sixty stadia from its mouth (Strab. 14:667; Cic. Verr. 1:20; Plin. v. 26; Mela, 1:14; Ptol. v. 5, § 7). It was celebrated in antiquity for the worship of Artemis (Diaina), whose temple stood on a hill outside the town, and in whose honor annual festivals were celebrated (Callim. Hymn. in Dian. 187; Scylax, p. 39; Dion. Per. 854). The goddess and the temple are represented on the coins of Perga. Alexander the Great occupied Perga with a part of his army after quitting Phasaelis, between which two towns the road is described as long and difficult (Arrian, Anab. 1:26; comp. Polyb. v. 72; 22:25; Livy, 38:37). The Cestrus was navigable to Perga, and St. Paul landed here on his voyage from Paphos (Ac 13:13). He visited the city a second time on his return from the interior of Pamphylia, and preached the Gospel there (Ac 14:25). Perga was originally the capital of Pamphylia; but when that province was divided into two, Side became the chief town of the first, and Perga of the second Pamphylia. In the ecclesiastical notices, and in Hierocles (p. 679), Perga appears as the metropolis of Pamphylia (Stephlen of Byzant. s.v.; Eckhel, Docir. Num. 1:3, p. 12). There are still extensive remains of Perga at a spot called by the Turks Eski-Kilesi (Leake, Asia Minor, p. 182; Fellows, Asia Minor, p. 190; Texier, Asie Minere, pl. 19; Conybeare and Howson, St. Paul, 1:160). SEE PAMPHYLIA.
