The symbol of the city of Side is the 'Pomegranate' because the word 'Side' means 'Pomegranate' in the Anatolian language. Based on information obtained from inscriptions, it is believed that the history of Side dates back to the Hittites. Another piece of information derived from inscriptions suggests that a unique language specific to Side was spoken until the 3rd century BC, and this language belonged to the Indo-European language family. This language is also known as 'Sidean' and is thought to have originated from the Luwian languages. It is rumored that the name 'Side' meaning 'Pomegranate' is associated with the legend of a pomegranate tree that gave the city its name.
The periods of Ancient Side City are dated to the 2nd century AD, and it is known as one of the five important cities in the Ancient Pamphylia region. As a natural harbor in the Pamphylia region, Ancient Side City was the only port in the region until the establishment of Antalya.
Ancient Side City is located 75 km east of Antalya and southwest of the Manavgat district. The city, situated on a peninsula, spans 1,000 meters in length and 400 meters in width. The earliest known settlement dates back to the 7th century BC when the Greeks established a colony on the peninsula. However, due to the fact that the word 'Side' meaning 'Pomegranate' is not Greek, it is believed that there was a settlement here even before the Greek colonization. Side City was conquered by various civilizations throughout its history, including the Lydians in the early 6th century BC, the Persians in 547-546 BC, Alexander the Great in 334 BC, the Ptolemies in the 2nd century BC, the Kingdom of Pergamon with the Peace of Apamea in 188 BC, the Roman Empire in 78 BC, the Seljuks in the 13th century, and the Hamitoğulları and Tekelioğulları in the 14th century. Side City experienced its most prosperous period as a trading center in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. It became a center of the Pamphylia region's bishopric in the 5th century AD. The city was burned and subsequently abandoned during the Arab invasion in the 7th century AD. It was revitalized under Seljuk rule in the 13th century and later settled by immigrants from Crete in 1895.
The theater in Ancient Side City is the only theater built on the largest columns in Pamphylia. The theater has a two-story stage building and a capacity of 17,500 people.
The Roman bath, found in Ancient Side City and dating back to the Roman period, has been transformed into a museum where the artifacts from Side are exhibited. Other ruins in the city, apart from the bath and the theater, include:
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