In Hellenistic and Roman times Side functioned both as a great commercial entrepot and a pirate base. The silting-up of its harbor beginning around the 6th century AD, coupled with incursions of Taurus Mountain highlanders and later Arab fleets, caused Side to yield its pre-eminence to Antalya.
In Hellenistic and Roman times Side functioned both as a great commercial entrepot and a pirate base. The silting-up of its harbor beginning around the 6th century AD, coupled with incursions of Taurus Mountain highlanders and later Arab fleets, caused Side to yield its pre-eminence to Antalya.