One of the ancient cities in Türkiye I missed on earlier travels was Pergamon. The treasures of Pergamon are in museums elsewhere in Türkiye and most notably in Berlin. The Pergamon Acropolis was home to several palaces and temples and a large theater. Every bit as interesting was the Askepelon, or hospital. In 400 years the hospital had no fatalities — the hospital did not take critically ill people or pregnant women….maybe the first example of “managed care”? Snakes featured heavily in treatments — Askepelos is always featured with a snake. The most notable animals at the site of the hospital today are large, benign Turkish dogs
