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ounded by Octavian, also Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus –later to
become Roman Emperor Augustus– to commemorate his victory
against Antony and Cleopatra in the Sea Battle of Aktium, Nikopolis,
the city of victory, as its name implies, stands graciously in the region
of Preveza. Thanks to the city’s three harbours, it became a major com-
mercial hub, as well as the Romans’ administrative centre in western
Greece. The archaeological site extends over 1,500 acres –the largest
ancient city standing in Greece today– and has been proposed for in-
clusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is a typical example of
Roman infrastructure and architecture, while the architectural changes
brought by Christianity are equally visible on the buildings. Most of
the monuments are in good condition owing to the fact that Nikop-
olis is one of the few ancient cities in Greece that have not undergone
further inhabitation and the building materials were not reused during
the construction of new edifices in the ancient years.
The area chosen by Octavian to glorify his victory was in several
respects ideal: it was rich in water and blessed with excellent climate and access from land and
sea. Many of the old cities of Epirus had been deserted more than a century earlier due to the
plundering run by Aemilius Paullus. Therefore, the foundation of Nikopolis meant an unprec-
edented economic boost for the wider area. Inhabitants were brought over from Epirus, Aeto-
lia-Acarnania, the island of Lefkada and other places. Nikopolis was soon to become an affluent
and bustling city; during its heyday it is estimated to have had a population of over 100,000
inhabitants, engaged in agriculture, livestock farming and fishing. The significant privileges
and tax exemptions granted by Octavian had a vital contribution to the city’s development. Its
political significance –the fact that it received the status of civitas libera and the monuments
that adorned it– lent Nikopolis exceptional glamour. Octavian’s spoils from the naval battle of
Aktium and the donations of his friend and ally Herod I of Judea funded the construction of
many imposing pieces of architecture.
Octavian dedicated Nikopolis to Apollo and turned the ancient sanctuary of Apollo Actius of
Acarnania into a majestic temple and religious centre of the city. In 28 B.C., it was decided to
celebrate the New Aktia Games on September 2, as a revival of the old Aktia Games –races and
competitions in honour of Apollo Actius. However, since the inhabitants of Nikopolis origi-
nated from several areas, other gods were also worshiped in the city, including Dionysus and
Artemis, as well as deities of other traditions, like Attis, Isis and Cybele. Equally important was
the worship of the Roman emperors.
Significant people had been to Nikopolis; Roman emperors such as Nero and Hadrian, generals
such as Germanicus, philosophers such as Epictetus, and historians like Arrian. Wealthy Roman
nobles and merchants chose to live there permanently or during the summer, in spectacular
mansions. The city is believed to have been visited by Apostle Paul in 65 A.D., though there is
no pertinent historical evidence.
The first excavations in the area began in 1913-14, but their results were never published,
while the archaeological finds were destroyed by bombings during WW II. The research was
resumed during the Interwar period and excavations began in 1940. Unfortunately, they were
interrupted after the outbreak of WW II. Later on, in the 1960s, major restoration works were
carried out. Since 1995, important excavations, restoration and preservation works, as well
as monument display projects have been carried out on an ongoing basis at several areas of
the archaeological site. In 2006-2009 the Octavian Augustus Monument was excavated and
displayed. In the year 2012-2013 part of the Early Christian walls was reconstructed and the
theatre was thoroughly cleaned.

THE ROMAN WALLS
Immediately after founding the city, Octavian secured it inside walls, leaving outside the fortifica-
tion wall the Proastion (Suburb). The Proastion used to host public areas and buidings –the thea-
tre, the gymnasium, the stadium, the thermal baths– which were constructed during the same time,
but also the sacred grove. In the 3rd c. A.D., when German tribes started attacking the empire, the

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