The capital of Caria, Aphrodisias (Geyre), is one of the most important places to be discovered by modern archaeologists. Although Aphrodisia's history goes back far in time, in the first century BC it became a major city, dedicated to Aphrodite, the deity of love and fertility. During the excavations in this town, some of the richest treasures of the old days were revealed. The public buildings are beautifully decorated in marble with stunning skills, producing remarkable temples, monuments, baths, theatre and a beautiful stadium. Aphrodisias became the centre of the greatest sculpting school of antiquity as the reputation of the city's craftsmen spread over the civilised world for the exquisite finesse of its statuary and marble sculpture. Many of his wonderful artworks are now in the local museum. One of the most preserved ruins of the city is the theatre and bouleterion. The athletic stadium is 262 m long and 59 m wide and has a capacity of 30,000 seats.