Sidetic, the
language spoken in the region of Side long before Alexander's arrival, remains generally a mystery. Till
now, it is not fully understood, as only 26 letters of the alphabet have been
identified. Researchers based their study on bilingual inscriptions (Greek/Sidetic)
consisting of just one or two lines found during excavations of the
archaeological site. Recently, longer bilingual texts, some of which run 30 to 40
lines, were discovered, and five more letters could be added to the existing
list, raising the number to 31 letters.
The research is
now focusing on the structure of the alphabet, word forms, and possible links
with Anatolian languages other than the Greek dialects of Sillyum or Aspendos that are unrelated. However, Sidetic could be compared with other Anatolian
languages, such as Lycian and Carian, which, given the location of Side,
make them good candidates.
As I mentioned
before (see: Side didn’t put up any resistance to Alexander), the word Side
means pomegranate, and scholars tend to attach the same meaning to its Sidetic
forms of ‘Siruawn’ and ‘ Siruawan’. After all, pomegranates
are still widely grown in the area today, and it is obvious that they stamped
their mark on the city’s name, language, and symbols such as its coins.
It is often said
that Greek supplanted Sidetic after Alexander
conquered the city in 333 BC, but we should keep in mind that this change did
not happen overnight. Many later inscriptions in Sidetic confirm that the
inhabitants continued to use their own language.
A striking
example is the bilingual inscription found in the Temple of Serapis
from the 2nd century AD. Its construction behind the great theater was
sponsored by local citizens whose names and deeds were carved in stone to thank
them. It was obviously important that the people of Side could read and properly
understand the importance of their contribution in their own language six centuries after Alexander!
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