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SIDE
A language appearing on coins in
Side from 500 BC and on inscriptions until 300 BC seems to have been written
by the original indigenous population. This language was not deciphered until
recent times. It can be assumed that Greek colonists from Kyme settled here in
the 8century BC, but their language made no impact upon the region until the
time of Alexander the Great, when Greek became the official language. Greek
inscriptions on coins did not appear in Side until the 2C BC. Starting from
this date, Side increasingly came under the influence of pirates. Side
provided a naval base for them, moreover had a large and internationally
renowned slave market in which the pirates auctioned their prisoners, making
the town much talked about.
A peak in early imperial Roman
times was followed by decline and impoverishment. A general upsurge began in
the late-Roman and Byzantine periods around 500, and Side became the seat of a
metropolitan bishop. Definitive decline set in when the Arabs invaded, and in
the 10C the remainder of the population migrated to Antalya.
The ruins of Side intermingling
with modern hotels, pensions, shops, give the town unique appearance. Roman
theatre in Side, with the sea in the background, is certainly the most
impressive monument of the city.
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Priene
Perge
Aspendos
Side
Antalya
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