Hierapolis was founded as a thermal spa on top of the hot springs of Pamukkale early in the second century BC and given by the Romans to Eumenes II, king of Pergamum in 190 BC. Hierapolis became a healing centre where doctors used the hot thermal springs as a treatment for their patients.
This was the "golden age" of Hierapolis. Thousands of people came to town to benefit from the medicinal properties of the hot springs. Two Roman baths, a gymnasium, several temples, a main street with a colonnade and a fountain at the hot spring were built. Hierapolis became one of the most prominent cities in the field of the arts, philosophy and trade.