Stock Photo - Athenea temple in Turquey. Aphrodisias is an ancient Greek city in southwestern Turkey. It was named after the goddess Aphrodite and is known for its Temple of Aphrodite, which was built around the 2nd century BC and was one of the largest and most impressive in the region. The city was also home to a large stadium, various other monuments, and a large bath complex. The city was later abandoned in the 7th century AD after a series of earthquakes. Today, the ruins of Aphrodisias are a popular tourist destination and are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.