Editing Side, Turkey

{{short description|Town in Turkey}}
{{about|the town of Side on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey|the town of ancient Caria|Side (Caria)|the town of ancient Pontus|Side (Pontus)}}
{{Infobox ancient site
  |name = Side
  |native_name = 
  |alternate_name = 
  |image = Sunrise apollo side.jpg
  |alt = 
  |caption = The [[Temple of Apollo (Side)|Temple of Apollo]] is located at the end of Side's peninsula.
  |map_type = Turkey
  |map_alt = 
  |map_size= 
  |coordinates = {{coord|36|46|00|N|31|23|20|E|display=inline,title}}
  |location = [[Antalya Province]], [[Turkey]]
  |region = [[Pamphylia]]
  |type = Settlement
  |part_of = 
  |length = 
  |width = 
  |area = 
  |height = 
  |builder = 
  |material = 
  |built = 7th century BCE
  |abandoned = 
  |epochs = 
  |cultures = [[Ancient Greece|Greek]], [[Ancient Rome|Roman]], [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]]
  |dependency_of = 
  |occupants = 
  |event = 
  |excavations = 
  |archaeologists = 
  |condition = In ruin
  |ownership = 
  |management = 
  |public_access = 
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  |notes = 
}}
[[File:Stadtplan Side in der Antike.png|thumb|300px|Plan of Roman Side]]

'''Side''' (formerly ''Selimiye)'' is a city on the southern Mediterranean coast of [[Turkey]]. It includes the modern resort town and the ruins of the ancient city of Side, one of the best-known classical sites in the country. Modern Side is a neighbourhood of the municipality and district of [[Manavgat]], [[Antalya Province]], [[Turkey]].<ref>[https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx Mahalle], Turkey Civil Administration Departments Inventory. Retrieved 22 May 2023.</ref> Its population is 14,527 (2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports|url=https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=95&locale=en |access-date=22 May 2023|publisher=[[TÜİK]]|language=en|format=XLS}}</ref> Before the [[2013 Turkish local government reorganisation|2013 reorganisation]], it was a town (''[[belde]]'').<ref>{{Cite web |title=Law No. 6360|url=https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2012/12/20121206-1.htm |date=6 December 2012 |work=[[Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey|Official Gazette]]|language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Classification tables of municipalities and their affiliates and local administrative units|url=https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2010/09/20100912-1-1.doc |date=12 September 2010|work=[[Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey|Official Gazette]]|language=tr|format=DOC}}</ref> It lies near [[Manavgat]], 78&nbsp;km from [[Antalya]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.ancientlibrary.com/gazetteer/0319.html
 |title       = The Ancient Library
 |access-date  = 2006-11-19
 |url-status     = usurped
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070513115913/http://www.ancientlibrary.com/gazetteer/0319.html
 |archive-date = 2007-05-13
}}</ref>

It is located on the eastern part of the [[Pamphylia]]n coast, which lies about 20&nbsp;km east of the mouth of the [[Eurymedon River]]. Today, as in antiquity, the ancient city is situated on a small north-south [[peninsula]] about 1&nbsp;km long and 400 m across.

==History==

[[Pseudo-Scylax]],<ref>[https://topostext.org/work/102#101 Pseudo Scylax, Periplous, 101]</ref> [[Strabo]] and [[Arrian]]<ref>Arrian, The Anabasis of Alexander, book I, chapter XXVI, 4</ref> record that Side was founded by [[Greeks|Greek]] settlers from [[Cyme (Aeolis)|Cyme]] in [[Aeolis]], a region of western [[Anatolia]]. This most likely occurred in the 7th century BC. A basalt column base from the 7th century BC found in the excavations and attributable to the [[Neo-Hittite]]s is evidence of the site's early history.

Possessing a good harbour for small craft, Side's natural geography made it one of the most important trade centres in the region.

Its [[tutelary deity]] was [[Athena]], whose head adorned its coinage.

Excavations have revealed several inscriptions written in the [[Sidetic language|language of Side]]. The inscriptions, dating from the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, remain undeciphered, but testify that the local language was still in use several centuries after colonisation.

===Macedonian Rule===

[[File:Side - Vespasian Gate.jpg|thumb|250px|Vespasian Gate]]
[[File:Side TH au.JPG|thumb|250px|The ancient theatre]]

[[Alexander the Great]] occupied Side without a struggle in 333 BC. Alexander left only a single garrison behind to occupy the city.  This occupation, in turn, introduced the people of Side to [[Hellenistic]] culture, which flourished from the 4th to the 1st century BC.  After Alexander's death, Side fell under the control of one of Alexander's generals, [[Ptolemy I Soter]], who declared himself king of [[Egypt]] in 305 BC.  The [[Ptolemaic dynasty]] controlled Side until it was captured by the [[Seleucid Empire]] in the 2nd century BC.  Yet, despite these occupations, Side managed to preserve some autonomy, grew prosperous, and became an important cultural centre.


In 190 BC a fleet from the Greek island [[city-state]] of [[Rhodes]], supported by [[Roman Empire|Rome]] and [[Pergamon|Pergamum]], defeated the Seleucid King [[Antiochus III the Great|Antiochus the Great]]'s fleet, which was under the command of the fugitive [[Carthage|Carthaginian]] general [[Hannibal]].  The defeat of Hannibal and Antiochus the Great meant that Side freed itself from the overlord-ship of the [[Seleucid Empire]]. 

===Post-Seleucid Rule===
[[File:Tetradrachm from Side 201-190 BC depicting winged Victory now in Palais de Rumine.jpg|thumb|[[Tetradrachm]] from Side, 201-190 BC, depicting [[Nike (mythology)|winged Victory]]. Now in [[Palais de Rumine]], Lausanne, Switzerland]]

The [[Treaty of Apamea]] (188 BC) forced Antiochus to abandon all European territories and to cede all of Asia Minor north of the Taurus Mountains to [[Pergamum]]. However, the dominion of Pergamum only reached de facto as far as [[Perga]], leaving Eastern [[Pamphylia]] in a state of uncertain freedom. This led [[Attalus II Philadelphus]] to construct a new harbour in the city of [[Attalia]] (the present Antalya), although Side already possessed an important harbour of its own. Between 188 and 36 BC Side minted its own money, [[tetradrachm]]s showing [[Nike (mythology)|Nike]] and a laurel wreath (the sign of victory).

In the 1st century BC, Side reached a peak when the [[Cilician pirate]]s established their chief naval base and a centre for their [[Slavery|slave-trade]].

===Romans===

[[Image:Main Street in Side.jpg|thumb|250px|The main street is lined with the ruins of homes or shops, many of which feature their original [[mosaic]] flooring]]
[[File:Sidef 052.jpg|thumb|Hospital dating to the 6th century.]]

The consul [[Publius Servilius Vatia Isauricus (consul 79 BCE)|Servilius Vatia]] defeated these brigands in 78 BC and later the Roman general [[Pompey]] in 67 BC, bringing Side under the control of Rome and beginning its second period of ascendancy, when it established and maintained a good working relationship with the Roman Empire.<ref name="turk">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.turkishodyssey.com/places/medit/medit3.htm
 |title       = Side - History of the City
 |access-date  = 2006-11-19
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20061114034707/http://www.turkishodyssey.com/places/medit/medit3.htm
 |archive-date = 2006-11-14
}}</ref>

Emperor [[Augustus]] reformed the state administration and placed Pamphylia and Side in the Roman province of [[Galatia]] in 25 BC, after the short reign of [[Amyntas of Galatia]] between 36 and 25 BC. Side began another prosperous period as a commercial centre in [[Asia Minor]] through its trade in olive oil.  Its population grew to 60,000 inhabitants. This period would last well into the 3rd century AD. Side also established itself as a slave-trading centre in the [[Mediterranean]].  Its large commercial fleet engaged in acts of piracy, while wealthy merchants paid for such tributes as public works, monuments, and competitions as well as the games and gladiator fights. Most of the extant ruins at Side date from this period of prosperity.

Side was the home of [[Eustathius of Antioch]], of the philosopher [[Troilus (philosopher)|Troilus]], of the fifth-century ecclesiastical writer Philip; of the famous lawyer [[Tribonian]].<ref name="ce">''[[Catholic Encyclopedia]], 1907-1912, ''s.v.'' 'Sidon'</ref>

===Decline===

Side began a steady decline from the 4th century on.  Even defensive walls could not stop successive invasions of highlanders from the Taurus Mountains. During the 5th and 6th centuries, Side experienced a revival, and became the seat of the Bishopric of Eastern Pamphylia.  Arab fleets, nevertheless, raided and burned Side during the 7th century, contributing to its decline. The combination of earthquakes, Christian zealots and Arab raids, left the site abandoned by the 10th century, its citizens having emigrated to nearby Attalia.<ref name="turk"/>

In the 12th century, Side temporarily established itself once more as a large city. An inscription found on the site of the former ancient city shows a considerable [[Jewish]] population in early [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] times. However, Side was abandoned again after being sacked.  Its population moved to [[Attalia]], and Side became known as Eski Adalia 'Old Antalya' and was buried.

===Ecclesiastical history===

As capital of the [[Roman province]] of [[Pamphylia Prima]], Side was ecclesiastically the [[metropolitan see]]. The earliest known bishop was Epidaurus, presiding at the [[Synod of Ancyra]], 314. Others are John, fourth century; Eustathius, 381; Amphilochius, 426-458, who played an important part in the history of the time; Conon, 536; Peter, 553; John, 680-692; Mark, 879; Theodore, 1027-1028; Anthimus, present at the synod held at Constantinople in 1054; John, then counsellor to the Emperor [[Michael VII Ducas]], presided at a council on the worship of images, 1082; Theodosius and his successor Nicetas, twelfth century. John, present at a synod at Constantinople in 1156. The ''[[Notitiae Episcopatuum]]'' continued to mention Side as a metropolis of Pamphylia until the thirteenth century. It does not appear in the "Notitia" of [[Andronicus III]]. In 1397 the diocese was united with that of [[Antalya|Attalia]]; in 1400 the Metropolitan of [[Perge]] and Attalia was at the same time the administrator of Side.<ref>This section contains text from the [[Catholic Encyclopedia]] of 1907-1912, a work in the public domain</ref>{{Citation needed|date=January 2015|reason=The name of the entry is needed: there is none bearing the title "Side"}}

No longer a residential see, Side is today included in the [[Catholic Church]]'s list of [[titular see]]s.<ref>''Annuario Pontificio 2013'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2013, {{ISBN|978-88-209-9070-1}}), p. 971</ref>

== Monuments and Site ==

The great ruins are among the most notable in Asia Minor. They cover a large promontory which a wall and a moat separate from the mainland. Archaeologists have been excavating Side since 1947 and intermittently continue to do so.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.adiyamanli.org/aspendos.html|title=Aspendos - Perge - Side|access-date=2006-11-19}}</ref>

The colossal theatre complex of the 2nd century is less well-preserved that of [[Aspendos]], but it is almost as large, seating 15,000–20,000 people. It was converted into an open-air sanctuary with two chapels during [[Byzantine]] times (5th or 6th century).

The well-preserved city walls provide an entrance to the site through the Hellenistic main gate (''Megale Pyle'') from the 2nd century BC. 

The colonnaded street had marble columns whose remains can be seen near the Roman baths, restored as a museum displaying statues and sarcophagi from the Roman period. The [[agora]] includes the remains of the round [[Tyche]] and [[Fortuna]] temple (2nd century BC), peripteral with twelve columns, in the centre. In later times it was used as a trading centre where pirates sold slaves. 

The early Roman Temple of [[Dionysus]] is near the theatre. The fountain gracing the entrance is restored. At the left side is a Byzantine Basilica.<ref name="turk"/>

Other buildings include three temples and a [[nymphaeum]], a grotto or fountain building of elaborate design, and a synagogue which was discovered under a modern place of residence.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=7th-century synagogue found under house - T&#252;rkiye News |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/7th-century-synagogue-found-under-house-170312 |access-date=}}</ref> 

Excavation teams also found an ancient Greek brothel.<ref>[http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-archaeologist-complains-after-sponsors-refuse-to-fund-brothel-excavation-101916 Turkish archaeologist complains after sponsors refuse to fund brothel excavation]</ref>

===The aqueduct===

[[File:Aquaeduct at Side 1.JPG|thumb|250px|Aqueduct near Side]]
[[File:Side 1606-043.jpg|thumb|250px|Aqueduct bridge near Oymapinar]]

The [[Roman aqueduct]] dates from 2nd half of the 2nd century AD and is 30 km in length. The aqueduct is special because it has an exceptional number of bridges which are still preserved as well as tunnels. This was because the altitude difference  between source and city is only 36 m, so to make the gradient as high as possible it was necessary to keep the route as straight and short as possible through the hilly terrain, which entailed more expensive bridges (22 in total) and 16 tunnels 100-2260m long.

It was restored in the first half of the 3rd century, financed by Lollianos Bryonianos from Side according to an inscription.

{{Commons category|Side}}

==Today==
[[File:The central square of Side with the statue of Atatürk.jpg|thumb|right|The central square of Side with the statue of Atatürk]]
In 1895, [[Cretan Turks|Turkish Muslim]] Immigrants from [[Crete]] moved to the area of the ruins and called it Selimiye; they also built houses over the ruins when the [[Cretan Turks]] moved there.<ref>[http://www.tripwiser.com/trip_destination-Turkey_Side?itiNodeId=8a8c80fe152a92f401152b790eba13ae&eType=site] From link: In 1895 Turkish people from Crete moved to the ruined town and called it Selimiye.</ref><ref>[http://www.travel-library.com/europe/turkey/side/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514194855/http://www.travel-library.com/europe/turkey/side/|date=2011-05-14}} Side Travel Guide</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://turkey.1stpage.biz/side.asp |title=Side, Turkey |access-date=2010-12-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629003024/http://turkey.1stpage.biz/side.asp |archive-date=2011-06-29 }} Turkish Riviera - Side</ref> Today, Side has become a popular [[Vacation|holiday]] destination as a result of the expansion of the Antalya coastal project and is experiencing a revival.

It was a popular spot for watching the [[Solar eclipse of 2006 March 29|solar eclipse of March 29, 2006]].

The bustling street called Liman Caddesi connects the town bus station with the square on the seafront, where the statue of [[Atatürk]] is situated.<ref>{{cite web|title=The town of Side, July 2017|url=https://independent-travellers.com/turkey/side/|website=Independent Travellers|publisher=independent-travellers.com|access-date=May 23, 2018}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Marcellus of Side]], an ancient physician
* [[Troilus (philosopher)]], a sophist
* [[Tribonian]], a famous [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] [[jurist]] and advisor
* Callistus of Side, Olympic winner at [[Stadion (running race)|Stadion race]]<ref name="Eusebius">[https://topostext.org/work/531#81 Eusebius, Chronography, 81]</ref>
* Eustolus of Side, Olympic winner at [[Stadion (running race)|Stadion race]]<ref name="Eusebius"/>
* [[Ruzi Nazar]], Uzbek CIA officer active in Turkey during the 1960s; retired and died in Side <ref>{{Cite news |title=Central Asian Cold Warrior Ruzi Nazar Dies In Turkey |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ruzi-nazar-obituary-uzbekistan-cold-war-warrior-spy/26994013.html |access-date=2022-06-04 |website=[[Radio Free Europe]] |date=4 May 2015 |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Coinage of Side]]
*[[Manavgat Waterfall]]
*[[Oymapinar Dam]]
*[[Philip of Side]]
*[[Saint Probus of Side]]
*[[Sidetic language]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}

*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070513115913/http://www.ancientlibrary.com/gazetteer/0319.html Hazlitt, Classical Gazetteer, "Side"]}}
*[http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/sidemuseum Acceptable pictures of the museum, 105 of them]
*[http://www.pbase.com/dosseman/side Amateur pictures of the town of Side]
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/28803198@N06/8089229781/ Photo of basalt Neo-Hittite column base found at Side.]

{{EB1911|wstitle=Side}}
{{Former settlements in Turkey}}
{{Manavgat District}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places established in the 7th century BC]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek archaeological sites in Turkey]]
[[Category:Greek colonies in Anatolia]]
[[Category:Aeolian colonies]]
[[Category:Populated places in ancient Pamphylia]]
[[Category:Turkish Riviera]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Antalya Province|Side]]
[[Category:Former populated places in Turkey]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Antalya Province]]
[[Category:History of Antalya Province]]
[[Category:Catholic titular sees in Asia]]
[[Category:Neighbourhoods in Manavgat District]]