Side was the most important port city of the Pamphylia Region in ancient times. Side Ancient City was founded on a peninsula in the coastal part of Manavgat District. B.C. It has a history dating back to 8 years. “Side”, which means pomegranate, took its name from Luwian. In the 7th century BC, it came under the rule of the Lydian kingdom together with the whole Pamphylia Region. This was followed by Persian and Alexander the Great sovereignties. In 78 BC, after the Roman consul Publius Servilius cleared the region from pirates, Side was annexed to the Roman Empire like the other cities of Pamphylia.