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Augustus' Memorial
On the hill above the city, Augustus
constructed a campsite memorial at Nicopolis for his victory in the
naval battle of Actium. During the battle, a storm unexpectedly arose
and beat against Mark Antony’s ships. Approximately 35,000 men were
captured in the battle, and rams from the ships were given as a tithe.
Augustus used the rams to decorate his memorial. In 29 BC Augustus
dedicated his monument to Neptune and Mars. This Latin inscription was
posted above the rams. |
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Paul's Visit
When Paul wrote to Titus around AD 63-65, he almost certainly referred to
this site of Nicopolis, given the site's good winter location and its
geographical position in Paul’s travels (Titus 3:12). The subscription of
the book says the site was “Nicopolis of Macedonia” (in Thrace), but this
was added later and is probably incorrect. Paul may have intended to start
a church on the western coast of Greece at this time, since such had not
been done during his missionary journeys recorded in Acts. The
building pictured at left is a nymphaeum preserved to 30 feet (9 m) high. |
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Odeum
The odeum of Nicopolis was built in
the late 1st century AD and used until the late 3rd century. At
one point a roof covered the structure. In the first century BC,
Herod the Great gave Augustus a large sum of money for initial
construction of Nicopolis, including a temple and other public
buildings. |
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Stadium
The Greek Archaeological Service has excavated the site of Nicopolis (the
modern village of Smyrtoula) since 1913. Major archaeological remains
include a stadium, theater, odeum, nymphaeum, baths, gymnasium, basilicas,
aqueduct, and city fortifications. |
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Related Websites |
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Ancient Nikopolis (Hellenic Ministry of Culture) Hosted by the
government of Greece. Provides information on the site's history, its
excavation, and the Roman structures still found there. For a webpage about
the archaeological museum found there, click
here.
Ancient Necopolis (The Cultured Traveler) Informative article portraying
the importance of the battle of Actium and the historical situation behind
it. Also summarizes the history of the city and describes other sites in the
region.
Nicopolis Bible Study (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) Good
discussion of Paul's intended stay in Nicopolis with a summary of the city's
early history.
Nicopolis (Catholic Encyclopedia) Surveys the history of the city from
the first century BC through the eighth century AD.
Journey in Bulgaria (Personal Webpage) Photos #267-276 in this set of
pictures provide one tourist's view of the site.
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