Short answers, pulled from the story.
Authorities renamed the town Stauropolis sometime before 640 AD during the Late Antique period under Byzantine rule. This change aimed to strip away pagan associations following centuries of Christianization efforts.
White and blue-grey marble quarried from adjacent slopes fueled a renowned workshop that produced statues across the Roman world. The abundance of local stone allowed artists to experiment freely, creating a legacy that defined regional aesthetics for centuries.
Emperor Zeno ordered the dismantling of the Temple of Aphrodite between 481 and 484 AD due to pagan opposition against his rule. The temple served as the town's focal point until this imperial intervention occurred.
Theodore Mankaphas sacked Caria in 1188, followed by another Seljuk attack in 1197 before Turkish control solidified at the end of the 13th century. Multiple raids led to massive population loss including one incident where over 5,000 people were taken captive and sold into slavery.
Kenan Erim initiated ongoing digs starting in 1962 continuing today under Professor R. R. R. Smith and Katharine Welch. Their work revealed that lavish building programs were largely funded by Gaius Julius Zoilos a freedman who aligned his native city with Octavian during political struggles against Mark Antony.