Aphrodisias

Early Byzantine Aphrodisias exhibited significant urban continuity, marked by the transformation of the temple of Aphrodite into a large church and the presence of additional churches in surrounding cemeteries. The region's dense rural habitation began to decline by the late 7th century, with evidence suggesting Arab invasions led to population displacement. Village-like settlements re-emerged in the 8th century, accompanied by the repurposing of the theater as a fortress. Middle Byzantine resettlement and modest prosperity are attested by church buildings, until Turkish incursions caused widespread abandonment. This study reconstructs Aphrodisias's socio-political trajectory through architectural and archaeological evidence, highlighting periods of continuity, decline, and resilience.

Dalgıç, Ö., & Sokolicek, A. (2017). Aphrodisias. The Archaeology of Byzantine Anatolia, 269–279. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190610463.003.0024