The name Side probably means pomegranate in some ancient Anatolian language. The site was colonized by Aeolians, a Greek people, at about 600 BC. With a population of 60,000, it was the largest, richest port in Pamphylia. When Alexander the Great captured the city in 333 BC its people spoke a language unknown to the invaders and it is still not deciphered. Initially, Side's wealth was based on slave trade and piracy, which flourished under the Greeks. These practices were stopped when the city came under Roman control. Under the Byzantines, Side was important enough to have its own bishop. In the 7th century AD Arab raids diminished the town which was finally abandoned after earthquakes in 1150. In the 19th century Muslims from Crete settled in Side.

(Location: Side, Antalya)

Uploaded by Erdem on 8/7/2005, viewed 7107 times.