Actium

Actium (Greek: Ἄκτιον, action ) was in ancient times the name of a flat peninsula compared to today Preveza, the right hand side of the entrance to Ambracian golf. In the Middle Ages was called the Punta Peninsula. Today there is the airport of Aktion.

Here was the 600 BC by Corinthian settlers Anaktorions founded Sanctuary of Apollo Aktio. 425 BC it was conquered by the Acarnanians and a federal sanctuary. Since the 5th century BC appears on the coins Anaktorions the goddess Aktia. She was the annual festival dedicated to the Aktia ( Ἄκτια ). From 216 BC the sanctuary was under the supervision of the Acarnanian Koinon. After the games were shifted from 27 BC by Augustus to Nicopolis, decreased the importance of the sanctuary.

The ports Actiums often served as an anchorage of war fleets or as a travel station. A significant settlement did not arise; a village, however, is attested. In imperial times Actium was the cursus publicus station.

Actium was in the year 31 BC, scene of the famous battle between the fleet of Octavian ( the future emperor Augustus ) on one side and the fleets of Mark Antony and Cleopatra on the other side. The victory of Octavian took the final decision in the civil war and led to absolute autocracy ( Principate ). As a result Actium was raised by Augustus became a symbol of his victory and his reign. He enlarged or renovated the sanctuary and sat a monumental inscription consecration.