Rome Senate assigned Pergamon king to the Pamphylia region after defeated famous Carthaginian Commander Hannibal in 218BC. After case of boundary with Pergamo, Side celebrated of its independence. In this period Side experienced best days of Hellenistic period. Side did not involve Rome’s dirty works so that Pergamo King had to establish new dock to Adalya. That is the why Side’s name is “old Antalya” because of its elder ness than Antalya. Reign of Pamphylia so often changed an authority so that it made easier for pirates to grow stronger. Other causes of Pirates power are distance with Rome and geographical conditions of area. Pontus King Mitridates VI assisted pirates and with this help Korekesion Diodotos Tttryphon settled castles, coined money for his name. This pirate threatened the Hellenistic cities of region and lowered their defenses. Also he had power to knock over Selevkia and Syria Kings. Reign of Pirates exiled till 78BC when Romans consul Publis Servillius involved Pamphylia to Rome Kingdom and rid of the pirates out of the area. Some historians stated that he came with 24 commanders with 120.000 troops and 500 ships. When he returned there was not any castles or pirates ship.

 

Despite Pompeyus’s efforts and Rome’s help, piracy had not been exiled. Julius Cesar managed to full victory over pirates. Cesar who condemned to death by Rome Senate escaped to Pamphylia coasts and captured by pirates then he escaped again to Miletos. With ships that captured from Miletos and help of Miletos people to locate well known pirates caves, he executes all pirates of the area in Pergamo. Fame of these attacks enabled him to go an expedition on Anatolia with big army. After his reign in Pamphylia he sent famous letter to Rome. “I came, I saw, I conquer “.After Cesar went back to Rome, management of Pamphylia and Anatolia had given to Markus Antonius. This management wars always hooked Pamphylia (Manavgat) in the center of interest.

 

Specially they benefited from Manavgat and Köprüçay stream and sold timbers from hilly areas and olive oil to Egypt. Marcus Antonius had gifted the area of Kolonoros to Cleopatra after he met with her. Prosperities of the area especially timbers flew to Egypt.

 

According to the Strabon Side was settled second part of 700Bc by Ionian colonists. The name “Side” is not Hellenistic but means pomegranate in Anatolian dialect. Pomegranate was symbol of prosperity and fertility on the coins of city-states. Colonist had big share in settle of city that would be big city sooner. The factor of growing reputation is not only prosperity that covered big region, but also slave trade. The fame of beauty of female slaves, who was on public display in special catwalk, was known by all countries around. Side did always not work with Rome dirty work and lived peace till 100-200BC. The most glorious period of Side was first half of 200BC. The most important structures built in this period. During the reign of Rome Kingdom, Anatolia was ruled by the Romans. After Octavianus set provinces, Mediterranean and Pamphylia kingdoms all committed to Rome. Scythia surrounded Side after state power of Rome weakened. Later at 361-361 AD Isaurians surrounded Side again and that was the second fall period.  

 

Control of Byzantium

Between the years 350-450AD, the region was under the effect of Christianity. After the division of the Roman Empire, Side’s control was given to the East Roman Empire.Although maritime business and commerce lost importance, side's economy was invigorated once again by the advancements in agriculture. As a result, side became the capital city of the empire’s (religious) eastern Pamphlyia Metropolis and transformed into a famous city which expanded its borders and entered its 3rd golden age

 Byzantium used castles and garrisons and formed same system as defensive formation. Small layouts at Köprüçayi basin, Manavgat stream basin and castles at Zincirlikale and Akseki-Ibradi are clear evidence of this claim. Side was attacked by Arabian raiders continuously after 7^th century. That attacks that could not be prevented by the Byzantium Special Navy, lowered the importance of the region. Not only the economic power of the region but also the consideration of the cities were effected by the Rhodes, Venice, Republic of Genoa’s pirates looting and attack of Cyprus king. Arabian Geographer Idrisi stated the area as ruin and in 12^th century region was completely abandoned.

 

 

If Manavgat, which is the scene of heavily-established Seljuk Turks in the 12th and 13th centuries, is assessed with the vicinity of Teke, it could be easily seen that at the end of the 13th century, Turkish principalities have the dominance of Anatolia. When the period of principalities begins, the regions of Antalya and Isparta are captured by Hamitogullari. Although they are under the dominance of Ilhanlilar for a while, they manage to maintain their authority as Hamitogullari. In 1300, Hamitogullari is divided into two regions as Isparta and Antalya (Tekeogullari). Their centre is generally Antalya and sometimes Korkuteli (1331-1423). Therefore, the vicinity of Korkuteli is called as the vicinity of Teke. The family of Tekelioglu in Antalya is an extension of that dynasty, that is, they are the branch of Hamitogullari. If it is taken into consideration from another aspect:
 

The sarcophagus at the Manavgat Hisar District’s cemetery is exactly same with the sarcophagus at Atabey Ertokuç Madrasah as both of them date back to 1272 AD and have the same shapes and scriptures. This is evidence to the coming of Seljuk Turks to Manavgat from North before Hamitoğulları’s coming from west. In the vicinity of Köprüçayi around the south of Olukköprü at the Karabük village, there is a mosque belonging to that times. Beforehand, this open air mosque is open to the worship. In 1148, Seljuk Turks by defeating Byzantium capture this district and conquer Alanya (1223). By eliminating this district from Byzantines, Alaaddin Keykubat, the sovereign of the Great Seljuk’s, marries the daughter of the defeated vali and changes the name of the city as Alaiye (1220-1237). It is also said that   Alara Castle is built by Alaaddin Keykubat. He uses Alaiye as his winter house. However, the basis of the Turkish dominance starts after the establishment of Hamitoğulları’s and Tekeogullari. Starting from this period, the history of Manavgat is assessed with the history of Alanya. Two reasons can be put forward for this situation: One of them is that as the Turks do not have big cities in this district, they could not have a settled life and they work on stockbreeding. Shortly, at that time they live as nomads. The second reason is that even the ones who manage to have a settled life are subject to the rulers of the villages. In this period, the Money published in Alanya is used by the people of Manavgat. Among these, the money of Karamanoğulları (1293), Ilhanlilar (1304-1306) and the Mamelukes of the Egypt exist.

In 1361, the Cyprus king Pierre, with the aim of preventing the Turks’ help to the Egyptians settling in that area, conquers Antalya. Manavgat, which is then under the population of Hamitoğulları’s and Tekeogullari, and Alanya have to accept this dominance. Nonetheless, Tekeogullari does not give up the struggle and continues to help Egypt. In 1364, by the aids of   the rulers of Alanya and Manavgat, Tekeogullari attacks Antalya which takes side with Cyprus. The navy of Alanya surrounding Antalya from the sea is burnt. Although Alanya, Manavgat and Karamanoğulları continue to help Egypt secretly, they stay under the management of Cyprus until 1365.

In the first half of the 15th century, Alanya and Manavgat are directed by Karamanoğulları. When the ruler of Karamanoğulları learns that the Ottomans are preparing for an expedition, he sells Alanya and Manavgat to the Egypt in return for 50 dinar. Meanwhile, Cyprus becomes bound to the kingdom of Egypt (1425).

In 1462, Mehmet II the Conqueror destroys Karamanoğulları. Manavgat together with Alanya enters the dominance of Ottomans. In the Ottoman archives belonging to 1530s, Manavgat has a record in the Yoruk societies and manors of Alanya as a subdistrict. In the Administrative Organization of Ottomans, Manavgat again together with Alanya appears as a groomed subdistrict.

With the new administrative arrangement made in the time of Sultan Abdülmecit (1859), Manavgat becomes bound to the province of Konya. In 1868, the sanjaks (Alanya and Manavgat) are given to Antalya. Despite the objections of Alanya and Manavgat, Manavgat becomes bound to Antalya as the subdistrict of the county of Alanya in 1871. The folk of Alanya gets very angry to this situation and prepares a report sealed by 71 people including the mukhtars of the 6 villages and the parishes and including also the religious leaders. This report is a clear statement of Alanya’s resentment to Antalya. However, all over these, in 1896, when the county of Alanya becomes bound to the province of Konya, Manavgat becomes also directly bound to Konya.

Thus, the west of Manavgat River belonging to Tugay rulers and the east of Manavgat belonging to Senir rulers maintain their existence as their manors and feud until the announcement of Republic. As it can be easily understood, Manavgat and its surroundings have to be subject to the principality and its ruler having the power. While Manavgat is trying to maintain its existence in this way, it enters the dominance of Turks and continues its existence as a Turk borough. 

 

There is not any clear evidence that shows date of the establishment of present Manavgat. First settlements can be dated back to 150-200 years ago. It also can be shown at the documents that Manavgat was two sided river city. (Mans and cargos transported with boats to both sides of the river) After foundation of Turkish Republic, Manavgat promoted to subdivision (1924) of newly formed province of Antalya with Beşkonak and Taşağıl. Orhan Tunçdemir told about that Manavgat which was unsuitable for growing with the effect of bursting Manavgat River banks and malaria. First official charged with governing a provincial district of Republic period was Lütfi Bey and Avni Refik. Most important structures of the Manavgat were primary school of Çaglayan, mosque of Hafize Hatun (From Tugayogullari) and madrasah of Mustafa Hoca.
There were also three houses that belonged to Aghas and two stable, quite many roofs for Yoruks to winter. Two horsedrawn carriages were the only wheeled vehicles of those days.; Transportation was possible with boats because of there was not any bridge. Sewers of the Manavgat all was left to the river. Muck mounds rounded every Yoruk roof. These conditions made Manavgat unviable city with pernicious of mosquitoes and houseflies 50 years ago. The worst side of these conditions was the reality of drinking water that gathered from river that harbored dirt from midden and sewer. Septic tank areas of residential set up after government officials recognized the matter. River’s pollution banned by the officials because that was impossible to debar community from drinking river water. It was more functional than dig for a well and also cheaper. These conditions continued until Municipal Corporation built a water network. Waiter used very glare methods when he offered a tea to customers those days. After war against natural conditions, Manavgat’s population grew at 1960’s. Recent years Manavgat become a center of tourism which attract millions of people all around the world. Some visitors settled here and population grows faster nowadays. With the support of the government and local administration, Manavgat became comfortable city. There is also a big bridge at the heart of the city which construction started at 1931 and finished 1938. Manavgat deserve to become a province after high economic factors and cultural levels.