SiDE
Greek colonists from Aeolia founded the splendid city of
Side in the seventh century B.C. and built a great seaport.
A few decades ago Side was a peaceful fishing village but
it has become a town of hotels, pensions and restaurants
and its two thousand inhabitants live on and for tourism.
In ancient times, like the Hellenes, Side became rich with
money deriving from piracy and from the slave trade. Under
the Romans these illicit activities ceased but the city
remained fairly prosperous through commerce and traffic
though its port. During the Byzantine Empire Side became
an important centre for Christianity, becoming a Bishopric;
and the city was given the title of the Metropolitan Church
for Eastern Pamphylia.
But Side is also famous as being the place where Anthony
and Cleopatra met clandestinely for romantic assignations
prior to their marriage.Its decline began with attacks by
the Arabs: the citizens abandoned the town and at the end
of the four-teenth century Side became Ottoman.
The theatre at Side was one of the largest in Pamphylia,
holding fifteen thousand spectators. It was built by the
Romans in the third century AD. on the plain, facing the
sea. It was later reinforced by the Romans, able engineers,
with strong arch structures.
The museum is small but interesting, and has been installed
amongst the ruins of the Roman Baths. It houses a collection
of statues, friezes and sarcophagi found during excavations.
Outside the Hellenistic walls are the ruins of a Byzantine
basilica that had three naves, a baptistery and the Bishop’s
palace. There were two agoras at Side, one of which was
called the State Agora and used for meetings and public
ceremonies.
MANAVGAT - SELGE
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