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Side is
an ancient port which was founded in the 7C BC by Eolians
colonists who had come from the north of Smyrna.
The name Side, which means "pomegranate", is thought to
have been the symbol of the city because it was
represented on the local coins. Before and after the Hellenistic
period, taking advantage of the natural location of
their city built on a long peninsula, the inhabitants of
Side were indulged in the practices of piracy which were
more remunerative than shipbuilding activities. The
place was long reputed as a slave market. In the 3C BC,
Side came under the domination of the Ptolemy
of Egypt and Seleucids
of Syria. From the 2C and 1C BC, due to its good
relations with Rome,
Side, now devoted to trade, enjoyed a first period of
prosperity. After the establishment of the "Pax
Romana" (Roman Peace), between the 2-3C AD Side
reached its peak, as can be seen through the numerous
monuments built at that period. In the 4C, the city
declined altogether with the Empire. However, in the 5C
under the Byzantines,
it prospered again as a bishopric.
Later ruined by earthquakes and raids, the site was
completely abandoned. A massive settlement took place in
1895 when Turkish immigrants from Crete settled
here.
Today Side has become a pretty resort town, its ancient ruins,
two sandy beaches, numerous shops and extensive tourist accommodation
attract trongs of visitors. There are numerous cafes and restaurants
with a view of sea, and the shops that line the narrow streets sell typical
Turkish handicrafts including leather goods and Turkey's famous
beautiful gold jewlry. The manginicent theater of the
ancient city, built on colonnaded arches,
is the largest in the whole area. Other monuments include the agora,
the Temple of Apollo, which is situtated near the sea, a fountain
and necropolis. The extensive Roman baths, now a museum, houses
one of Turkey's finest archelogical collections. | ||
