History of Side
Side dates back to the 7th century BC and, according to legend, was founded by Greek settlers. The Greeks left a lasting cultural legacy, transforming the city into a major port and one of the most important centers of the Pamphylia region.
In the 5th century BC, Side was conquered by the Persians, and in the 4th century BC, it surrendered without resistance to Alexander the Great. During the 3rd century BC, the region came under the rule of the Ptolemies and later the Seleucids. By the 2nd century BC, Side became part of the Kingdom of Pergamon, which was eventually absorbed into the Roman Empire.
In the 1st century BC, pirates captured the city and turned it into a major hub for the slave trade. Although Roman forces led by Pompey retook Side in 67 BC, the slave market remained active until the city became part of the Byzantine Empire. In the 7th century AD, Arab invaders captured and burned the city, and a devastating earthquake in the 10th century destroyed much of what remained.
Centuries later, in the 1960s, archaeological excavations uncovered the ancient ruins of Side, leading to the creation of an open-air museum that continues to attract visitors today.
