Early Byzantine Nafpaktos
The Roman Empire was divided to an Eastern and a Western part by the Emperor Theodosius I (A.D. 395). Afterthis point Nafpaktos was subordinated to the Prefecture of Achaia, the administrative center of whichwas Corinth. Nafpaktos was a bishopric, and itsbishops participated in the 3rd and 4th Ecumenical Councils (A.D. 431 and 451). The historian Procopius informs that the region wasdamaged by the strong earthquake of A.D.551/552.
The Early Byzantine city extendedacross the same area as the ancient one, asattested by the numerous rescue excavationsof the last decades. Its center was located to thesoutheast of the modern city, in the quarter ‘Ovriolaka’, and in the southeastern coastal part, whereaffluent buildings were uncovered, showingthe urban wealth and glamour. Theseare magnificent churches, such as thefive-aisled Early Christian basilica onPharmaki street as well as two further basilicas; extensive bath complexes andluxurious villas with mosaic floors, marble revetments and reliefs. During theturbulent 6th century the coastal easterntown was gradually abandoned, possiblydue to barbarian raids, but also due to natural destruction, while the defense wall was re-used as building material.