In Graeco-Roman times, it was called Apollonopolis Parva or Apollinopolis Mikra (Greek: Ἀπόλλωνος ἡ μικρά;[5] Ἀπόλλων μικρός),[6] or Apollonos minoris.

In the late Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period, important people of Qus were buried at Naqada at the other side of the Nile.

The city gradually lost its importance, only to regain it in the 13th century with the opening of an alternate commercial route to the Red Sea.

Since then, Qus replaced Qift as the primary commercial center for trading with Africa, India, and Arabia.

The texts also include the cartouches of Ptolemy IX Soter II(called Lathyros) and his mother Cleopatra III.