Alexander the Great Side, Turkey

vespasian gate



temple of apollo

alexander great occupied side without struggle in 333 bc. alexander left single garrison behind occupy city. occupation, in turn, introduced people of side hellenistic culture, flourished 4th 1st century bc. after alexander s death, side fell under control of 1 of alexander s generals, ptolemy soter, declared himself king of egypt in 305 bc. ptolemaic dynasty controlled side until captured seleucid empire in 2nd century bc. yet, despite these occupations, side managed preserve autonomy, grew prosperous, , became important cultural centre.

walls of ancient theatre of side

in 190 bc fleet greek island city-state of rhodes, supported rome , pergamum, defeated seleucid king antiochus great s fleet, under command of fugitive carthaginian general hannibal. defeat of hannibal , antiochus great meant side freed overlord-ship of seleucid empire. treaty of apamea (188 bc) forced antiochus abandon european territories , cede of asia minor north of taurus mountains pergamum. however, dominion of pergamum reached de facto far perga, leaving eastern pamphylia in state of uncertain freedom. led attalus ii philadelphus construct new harbour in city of attalia (the present antalya), although side possessed important harbour of own. between 188 , 36 bc side minted own money, tetradrachms showing nike , laurel wreath (the sign of victory).

in 1st century bc, side reached peak when cilician pirates established chief naval base , centre slave-trade.