Landing at Old Kavala, the remnants of the ancient city would be discovered by Venetian traders who would expand it into its modern day form. In 1493 CE, Altis was apportioned to the Latin Empire and was turned into a fiefdom of the Republic of Venice. Altis would remain at relative peace for almost four centuries until the start of the Fourth Crusade. In 968 CE, a resurgence of the Byzantines would see Altis fall under its control once more. Ruins of the Kastro fortress in Old Kavala However in both cases, many of these outposts became derelict and decayed over the coming centuries, though it remains unclear as to why their holdings were ultimately abandoned. Pirates had similarly taken over many parts of Stratis, and used it to stage their raids throughout the Mediterranean. Towards the end of the 9th century, Arabian warlords claimed the ruins of what used to be the Oreokastro fortress (which had been decimated by an earthquake in 891 CE), and constructed their own castle over it. In 889 CE, Altis was greeted with the arrival of the Saracens from Arabia, who launched constant raids against the colony. By 533 CE, Altis was again conquered - this time by the Byzantine Empire.įor three and a half centuries, Altis remained under Byzantine control until the start of the Arab-Byzantine Wars. However, the Romans were never actually able to take the fortress by force.Īround the time of 454-464 CE, Western Roman influence gradually declined and Altis was the target of the same Germanic Vandals that gnawed away at their empire.
Six years later, both it and the rest of Altis were ceded to Rome's control following the signing of a treaty that led to the capitulation of the Carthaginian defenders. The Roman Army had attempted to seize the fortress from its defenders but were unsuccessful. In 332 BCE, Phoenicia was conquered by the ever-expanding Persian Empire while Altis itself fell under the control of Carthage.īy the time of the First Punic War, the Oreokastro fortress had become the site of a six year-long siege by the Ancient Romans (between 264-241 BCE). Others include the Amphitheater and the Temple of Iraklia that overlook Pefkas Bay in the island's east, as well as the ancient ruins of Aktinarki.Īrtwork depicting the Roman siege against the Oreokastro fortress (predating the current castle ruins) Remnants of the Phoenicians are present all across Altis, with the fortress at the (now abandoned) mountain village of Oreokastro, and the Kastro fortress of Old Kavala perhaps being the most poignant reminders of their legacy. Phoenician traders and explorers first laid claim on the island and established the site of many present-day settlements. The Republic's origins are traced back to the era of Ancient Phoenicia, dating back to 980 BCE.
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