One Battle
One City
One Empire
The permanent exhibition offers a comprehensive portrayal of both the public and private aspects of life in Nicopolis. This city stands as a symbol of the remarkable victory achieved by its founder and the inaugural Roman emperor, Octavian, over Antony and Cleopatra in the naval battle of Actium in 31 BC.
Spanning across nine themed sections and boasting over 1,000 exhibits, the exhibition meticulously illustrates the city’s evolution from its formative years as a thriving urban center during Roman times to its later transformation into a significant religious metropolis during the early Christian era.
The narrative commences with events leading up to the city’s establishment and concludes with its eventual abandonment.
INTRODUCTION TO THE EXHIBITION [Reception & Corridor Α]
Kassope: The Political and Administrative Hub of the Broader Region Prior to Nicopolis’ Establishment
Introduction to the exhibition
Commencing the tour of the Archaeological Museum of Nicopolis, we delve into the history of Nicopolis, along with the pivotal events that paved the way for the city’s establishment within the broader regional and global context of that era.
Η ΓΕΝΕΣΗ & Η ΠΟΡΕΙΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΟΛΗΣ [Αίθουσα Α]
The Naval Battle of Actium: A Glimpse into the Triumphant Figures Octavian Augustus and General Agrippa
A City is Born
The circumstances and developments that culminated in the establishment of Nicopolis. This section explores the individuals involved in the naval battle at Actium, the symbolism behind the Augustus Monument, and the processes involved in populating the newly founded city.
Analyzing the Urban Blueprint: A Topographical Map Unveils Nicopolis’ City Layout, While Sculptures from Public Buildings Emphasize its Urban Identity
The Roman City
Sketching the Public Persona of the Roman Municipality: The City’s Urban Layout, Majestic Public Structures, and Technical Achievements that elevated it to a Prominent Urban Center, alongside its Religious Practices and Political Governance.
Roman Sculptures and Inscriptions Repurposed: Building Materials for Early Christian Fortifications, Featuring Saintly Depictions Replacing Mythological Scenes
The Early Christian Era in the City
The shift from antiquity to the Byzantine period: the city’s dramatic reduction to just one-fifth of its original size, its evolution into a religious epicenter, and the construction of magnificent Christian churches.
Η ΖΩΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΟΛΗ [Αίθουσα Β]
Bulk Cargo Transport: Oversized Commercial Amphorae Stacked Aboard Ships Carrying Vital Commodities Such as Wine, Oil, and Grains to the Ports
Trade and Economic Ventures
The thriving urban setting of a prosperous city: commercial transactions, significant Mediterranean ports, the importation of goods, and the presence of local pottery, stonework, and mosaic workshops.
Household Inventory Diversity: From Storage and Cooking Vessels to Tableware of Varying Shapes and Sizes
Private Life
Snapshots of the everyday existence of Nicopolis residents: A glimpse into their dwellings, dining customs, attire choices, and their overall attention to personal grooming and appearance.
Warehouse of Antiquities: Marble Sculptures and Architectural Components Mounted on a Sturdy Metal Framework
Open Storage
The permanent exhibition includes an integrated representation of the museum’s storage repositories. This allows visitors to explore a significant portion of the collection and establish a visual connection with artifacts that would typically remain out of sight.
The After life
The burial customs of the inhabitants of Roman and early Christian Nicopolis. How were the burial monuments of each period, how were cemeteries structured and how different was the perception of death?
Η ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΗ ΜΕΤΑ ΤΗΝ ΕΓΚΑΤΑΛΕΙΨΗ [Διάδρομοι Γ-Δ]
Looting and Repurposing: The Systematic Plundering of Nicopolis Monuments After the 12th Century, with Inscriptions, Capitals, and Panels Finding New Life as Structural Elements in Buildings of the Despotate of Epirus
Nicopolis through the Middle Ages and onto the Present
Tracing the history of the city from its abandonment onwards. Examining the individuals or groups that plundered the remnants of the deserted Nicopolis, when Preveza supplanted it, and the commencement of efforts to promote the archaeological site.