The Ancient City of Side

Side is an ancient city on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, founded in the 7th century BC by Greek colonists from Kyme in Aeolia [1] [2]. Under Roman rule the city flourished as a major slave market and commercial hub [1] [2] [3]. Its impressive ruins include a 2nd-century AD theatre blending Hellenic and Roman design, temples of Apollo and Athena, colonnaded streets, a nymphaeum, and Roman baths now housing an archaeological museum [1] [2] [4] [5]. The city was sacked by Arab raiders in the 7th century and largely abandoned by the 10th century [1] [3].