Side is an ancient Greek city on the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey.
It was founded by Greek settlers from Cyme in Aeolis, a region of western Anatolia. This most likely occurred in the 7th century BC. Its tutelary deity was Athena, whose head adorned its coinage.
Possessing a good harbour for small-craft boats, Side's natural geography made it one of the most important places in Pamphylia and one of the most important trade centres in the region.
In the 1st century BC, Side reached a peak when the Cilician pirates established their chief naval base and a centre for their slave-trade.
The consul Servilius Vatia defeated these brigands in 78 BC and later the Roman general Pompey in 67 BC, bringing Side under the control of Rome and beginning its second period of ascendancy, when it established and maintained a good working relationship with the Roman Empire.
It was founded by Greek settlers from Cyme in Aeolis, a region of western Anatolia. This most likely occurred in the 7th century BC. Its tutelary deity was Athena, whose head adorned its coinage.
Possessing a good harbour for small-craft boats, Side's natural geography made it one of the most important places in Pamphylia and one of the most important trade centres in the region.
In the 1st century BC, Side reached a peak when the Cilician pirates established their chief naval base and a centre for their slave-trade.
The consul Servilius Vatia defeated these brigands in 78 BC and later the Roman general Pompey in 67 BC, bringing Side under the control of Rome and beginning its second period of ascendancy, when it established and maintained a good working relationship with the Roman Empire.
Modern location: Side
(1)
Gallienus
An
AE
Pentassarion
struck 253-268 AD
in
Side
Obverse: laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right from behind, eagle below; AYT KAI ΠOYΛI EΓNA ΓAΛΛIHNOC CE / IA {E}
Reverse: Apollo Sidetes facing, head left, holding phiale and scepter; CIΔHTΩN__NEΩKOPΩN
Diameter:
29 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 18.5 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 18.5 g
No notes for this coin
SNG France 924; SNG von Aulock 4844
(2)
Marcus Aurelius
Obverse: bare head right; KAIC__M? AYPHΛIOC
Reverse: Athena advancing right, holding spear and shield, serpent at foot; CI_ΔH_TωN
Diameter:
18 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 5.4 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 5.4 g
No notes for this coin
SNG Cop. 418 var. SNG Pfalz 661. var (bare head, legends)
(3)
Side
Obverse: lion head right
Reverse: helmeted head of Athena right
Diameter:
9 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.7 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.7 g
No notes for this coin
Atlan, Side 77 (dies Exemplar); SNG BN 738; SNG von Aulock 4774
(4)
Side
An
AR
Tetradrachm
struck 220-190 BC
in
Side
Obverse: helmeted head of Athena right; anchor - Seleucid countermark
Reverse: Niké walkig left with wreath, pomegranate left; KΛE_YX; graffiti: ΔIOΓENOY
Diameter:
29.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.8 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.8 g
No notes for this coin
SNG Cop 400; SNG von Aulock 4797; c.m.: Houghton and Lorber II, 63
