Patras

History

Patras in Antiquity

Patras is firstly inhabited in the 3rd millennium BC. These very ancient traces of the city are located at the region where Aroe is situated today. During the next Middle-Hellenistic period, in the first half of the 2nd millennium BC, another settlement is founded at the region. But Patras starts flourishing for its first time during the Post-Hellenistic or Mycenean period (1580–1100 BC). The ancient city of Patras was originally formed by the unification of three Mycenaean villages: Aroe, Antheia and Mesatis. After the Dorian invasion a group of Achaeans from Laconia, led by Patreas, established a colony and the city took its name from their leader. During Antiquity, Patras remained a farming region but in Roman times it became an important port. After 280 BC, Patras plays a significant role in the foundation of the second "Achaian League" (Achaiki Sympoliteia) together with the cities Dyme, Triteia and Pharai and the initiative of the political movements is transferred for the first time at the western Achaia. Later on and after the roman occupation of Greece, in 146 BC, Patras plays the main role and Augustus founds here a roman colony. A cadastral map in drawn up, privileges are given, crafts are created, and the most important was that of earthen oil lamps which were exported almost to the whole world of that time, two industrial zones are created, temples are built, roads that render Patras a communication center are opened, streets are paved with flagstones, foreign worships are introduced. Patras is by then a cosmopolitan city. But at the end of the 3rd century AD it falls into decline, most possibly because of a strong earthquake that stroke the whole of NE Peloponnese in 300 AD.

Related Topics:
Aroe - Mycenaean - Antheia - Mesatis - Dorian - Achaeans - Laconia - Patreas

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Saint Andrew came to Patras to preach Christianity during the reign of Emperor Nero and was crucified as a martyr. He is considered the protector of the city. (A large byzantine-style basilica was built in the 1970s in his honor, on the traditional place of his crucifixion.)

Related Topics:
Saint Andrew - Christianity - Nero - Byzantine - Basilica - 1970s

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Byzantine and Ottoman Patras

During the Byzantine period Patras continued to be an important port as well as an industrial center. Patras was invaded by the Turks in 1460. The first period of Turkish rule (1460 -1687) was a miserable one but from 1715 and on there was a revival of trade and so in the 18th century it became a prosperous town again economically based on agriculture and trade. Later Patras played an active part in the Independence struggle against the Ottomans (1821).

Related Topics:
Byzantine - Turks - 1460 - 1687 - 1715

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