The city's wealth and importance stemmed from the many and varied industrial establishments to be found there.
The inscriptions refer not only to institutions such as the wool industry co-operative but also to guilds formed by the dyers,
fullers, carpetweavers, nail manufacturers and coppersmaths.
These were all associated with fully organized institutions that were also responsible for the care of their members' graves.
Export goods included a type of marble unique to Hierapolis.