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Ancient Stratos

The ancient city of Stratos is situated in Akarnania, west from the river Acheloos. Once the capital of the ancient Akarnanians, it is referred by the ancient Greek historian Thucydides as the "great city of Akarnania". The ancient historian Polyvios also refers to the fertile Akarnanian valley as the "Stratian valley".

The region was inhabited since the Mycenaean period. The city of Stratos flourished during the 5th century B.C. In 429 B.C and 391 B.C, the city was conquered by the Spartans. Eighty years later it was once again conquered by the Macedonian king Cassandros and later (263 B.C) by the Aitolians. In 188 B.C the city was taken by the Romans, and its twilight began with the foundation of Nicopolis.

Ancient Stratos is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Prefecture of Aitoloakarnania.  Excavations conducted in the region uncovered the ruins of a majestic temple dedicated to "Stratios Zeus", the city's fortification walls and a valuable theatre with a capacity of about 7.000 people. 

The Temple of Stratios Zeus

Stratios Zeus was the protector god of the people of Stratos. The temple was constructed west from the city, on the top of a fortified hill. It was built somewhere between 338 B.C and 314 B.C. It was a six-pillar Doric temple, a bit larger than the Athenian temple of Hephaestus. Nowadays, parts the pillars are preserved in the north and east part of the monument.

The Ancient Theater

The ancient theater of Stratos is situated near the ancient market on a low slope with a view of the river Acheloos. It was built in the 4th century B.C and its basic building material is sandstone and limestone. Nowadays, the foundations of the theatre are preserved, as well as parts of the platform and the backstage. It is the largest preserved theater of Aitoloakarnania. It was first located in 1805 by W. Leake; however, the first excavation works in the site were conducted between 1990 and 1996 by L. Kolona.

The Fortification Walls

The fortification walls were crucial for the defense of the ancient city of Stratos. The perimeter of the walls was 7,4 km and protected four high hills and three valleys. The walls date back to the 5th century B.C.