Nikopolis Attractions Nikópoli

The extensive remains of ancient Nikopolis, the "Victory City" founded by Octavian, the future Emperor Augustus, after his victory at Actium (Áktion) in 31 B.C., lies 6km/4mi north of the port of Préveza on the road to Árta, on the peninsula between the Ionian Sea and the Ambracian Gulf.

After the defeat of Caesar's murderers, Brutus and Cassius, by Octavian and Antony at Philippi in 42 B.C. Antony contrived, with the help of the Egyptian queen, Cleopatra, to make himself master of the eastern half of the Roman Empire. The decisive engagement in the conflict between Octavian and Antony took place on September second 31 B.C., when Octavian's fleet, under the command of Agrippa, annihilated Antony and Cleopatra's fleet as it attempted to break out of the Ambracian Gulf. Octavian thus became sole ruler of the Empire, and four years later adopted the style of Augustus. The town of Nikopolis was founded on the site of his camp and populated with settlers from the surrounding area, from as far afield as Árta. The 13th Pope, Eleutherius (174-189), was a native of Nikopolis. After being destroyed by the Visigoths in 397 and the Vandals in 474 the town was rebuilt, on a smaller scale, by Justinian.