Perre Ancient City

The ancient city of Perre, one of the five major cities of the Kingdom of Commagene, known in ancient sources as Me’arath, Gaza, Pörön, and in Mesopotamia as Pirin and Perin, held geopolitical importance in the past due to its location on the road connecting Melitene (Malatya) to the capital Samosata (Samsat). During the Byzantine period, the city maintained its importance as it was situated on a major road connecting the ancient western world to Persia (Iran). Known as Hierapolis (the Holy City) during this period, Perre participated in the Council of Nicea (Iznik) in 325 AD as a city of the Persidas province under the leadership of Bishop John Perdos. A letter written by Andrew of Samosata to Alexander in 433 AD mentioning some important bishops in Perre indicates the city's religious significance as well. All of this shows that the ancient city of Perre was a city of both religious and geopolitical importance in antiquity. After the Byzantine period, the ancient city of Perre lost its importance and never regained its former glory.