Side
The name Side, which means "Pomegranate" in Anatolian language, is taken from here. It is estimated to date back to the Hittites, but it is also said that Side was founded before the 7th century BC. The Greeks came to Side in the 7th century BC and according to the inscriptions until the 3rd century BC, they spoke a language unique to them.
After 78 BC, it joined the Roman Empire and became a trade center. In terms of trade, it sees a very bright future in those years. There have been a lot of scientific and cultural activities in Side for 2 centuries. Ancient Syrian King VIII Antiochus received his education in Side before he became king. After he became king, he gave the name Sidetes. Until this time, they believed in Roman gods such as Apollo and Athena, Aphrodite, Ares, Hermes, Demeter and started to become Christians in the 4th century. It became the episcopal center in the 5th century and lived the golden age of its period. This golden age came to an end with the influx of Arabs between the 7th and 9th centuries.
Many traces of fires and earthquakes were found in archaeological excavations. Thanks to the Arab invasion and natural disasters, Side became an uninhabitable place and caused the locals to leave the city. The 2nd century Arabic geography Idrisi refers to Side as "Burnt Antalya". According to İdrisi, the people of the city left Side in 1150. In the 12th century, there was nobody living in Side. Even if it was under the protection of the Seljuks in the 13th century, the settlement still did not exist. Century, it entered Turkish lands and was not settled in the Ottoman Empire. Therefore, neither the Ottoman Empire nor the Seljuks have been found.