History

The older discoveries of the region testify that it was first inhabited during the Stone Age. Centuries later and after the Doric descent, in the region came Achaians from Sparta and Argos, founding important cities like Patra and Aigio. The older residents of the area named until then Ionia, resorted to other cities and mainly in Athens where they began the colonization to Asia Minor founding there the Ionian Dodecapoli.
The city took its name from Patrea, who with his father Preygenis was the head of the Achaians of Sparta. The city was formed from the joining of three towns (Aroi, Masatis and Antheia) and had an important role until the 3rd century BC. The constitution of the Achaian Confederation made Patra spread out to the sea and have important political role.
After the Roman conquest the city knew a new prosperous period and developed as a cosmopolitan centre having the favour of the emperors. Later it had the destiny of the Byzantine Empire and after the liberation from the Turks developed rapidly.