The Great Altar of Pergamum A new Hellenistic city needed splendid art and architecture to prove its worth in Greek eyes. In the first half of the second century B.C.E., the king of Pergamum ordered the construction of this huge monumental altar, which is now in a museum in Berlin. The scenes of wildly contorted figures depict the mythical victory of the Greek Olympian gods over the Titans, a race of giants. The altar honors the gods and celebrates Pergamum’s military victories, although scholars dispute exactly which victory led to its building. (Bildarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz/Art Resource, NY)