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Nikopolis

Ancient city of Epirus, at Preveza`s peninsula. It was founded by the Roman emperor August after his win in the sea-fight of Actaio (BC 31) against Mark Anthony. This was the reason that the city was named "Nikopolis" (= the city of Victory).
The Greek character of the city: The first inhabitants of Nikopolis were maily people from Epirus and Acarnania as well as Aetolians. The city preserved its pure Greek character till its desolation. About the state organization we don`t know much but it seems that the city had some independence. In the years of the city`s bloom, many Romans and Jews were living there. In BC 20, Nikopolis was substantial capital of Epirus. It is said that from times to times it extended hospitality to several important men, as Apostle Paul (AD 63), the philoshopher Epictitos and other ones. In 267, it came up against the cruelty of the Goths. In the years of Great Constantine, the city`s development was so great that it became the capital of Achaia (Greece). Julian the Violator favored the city as it was the center of the old religion.

The decline: After the earthquake of 373 and the invasions of the Goths and the Bandals that followed, the city started to decline. In 540, Justinian fortified it and the Byzantine walls that he built (well preserved) are the most impressive remains of Nikopolis`s bloom. Despite its fortification, it was pillaged by the Goths, in 551. Since then, Nikopolis was ruined once and for all.

The remains of the city: The Italian traveler Kyriakos from Ancona was the first one who dealt with the ruins of Nikopolis (1436). The excavations, made after Epirus liberation, brought to light palaiochristian royal churches with interestig mosaics. There are also saved remains of the Roman theater and the aqueduct, roman baths and remains of byzantine buildings. The whole area is full of ancient remains, an endless place of ruins.

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