Editing Nicopolis (section)

===Later Roman and Byzantine period===
[[File:20140413 nikopolis068.JPG|thumb|Ancient gates]]

The late third century was a time of troubles for the whole Empire: the city was attacked by the [[Goths]] and [[Heruli]], but managed to avoid looting thanks to makeshift fortifications.

In 268, the [[Goths]] launched a combined land-sea invasion against the Roman Empire, assisted by [[Heruli]] sailors and other tribesmen. Their naval forces ravaged [[Byzantium]] and [[Üsküdar#Chrysopolis|Chrysopolis]], though the imperial fleet successfully counter-attacked on the [[Propontis]]. Meanwhile, the land forces overran [[Thrace]] and continued into Achaea as far south as [[Sparta]]; the invading Goths and Heruli sacked [[Athens]], crossed the isthmus, sacked and burned the lower part of Corinth, and advanced to [[Ancient Argos|Argos]] and Sparta, ravaging the countryside along the way and burning the two cities. Here imperial land and sea forces counter-attacked, and the invaders wandered their way through [[Boeotia]], Acarnania, Epirus, Macedonia, and Thrace on their way back to [[Moesia]].

In Epirus, while the inhabitants of Nicopolis made hasty repairs to fortifications and managed to avert the danger, the leaders of Corfu organised their own army, crossed over into Epirus and defeated the Goths on land.

The Roman army chased the Goths and their allies and defeated them at [[Battle of Naissus|Naissus]]. It seems that the city then lost much of its importance and reputation by becoming only a provincial centre. 
In 293, as part of Diocletian's reforms, the province of Epirus became known as ''Epirus Vetus'' (including Adrianopolis, [[Phoenice]], [[Sarandë|Onchesmos]], and [[Buthrotum]] as the most northerly major cities, and Acarnania and the islands of Corfu, Ithaca, and probably Leucas to the south). The capital was Nicopolis.

Meanwhile, the territory of northern Epirus (including, Apollonia, Byllis and Amantia on its southern borders) became known as ''Epirus Nova'', with the capital at [[Dyrrachium]]. Both provinces, along with Macedonia, Thessaly and Achaea, were included in the diocese of Moesia, which also included four provinces in the northwestern Balkans. The islands of Cephalonia, Zacynthus, and Cythera were included in the province of Achaea.

Both Epirus Vetus and Epirus Nova were governed by a ''praeses''.

Writing around 300, one Arnobius of Numidia mentioned the existence of [[Christians|Christian]] communities in Achaea, Macedonia, and Epirus.

In about 330, the first great recorded Church historian [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] mentions that bishops from Epirus attended the [[First Council of Nicaea|first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea]] in 325. This implies that bishoprics and an episcopal administrative system had been set up some time before 325. Until the time of [[Constantine I|Constantine]], it is supposed that the bishopric of Nicopolis came under the jurisdiction of the metropolitan of Corinth, but with the administrative reforms under Emperor Diocletian and Constantine (306–337), Nicopolis itself became the metropolitan city of Epirus Vetus. Eusebius also mentions that [[Origen]] of Alexandria went to Nicopolis in the first half of the third century and discovered a rare Greek translation of the Old Testament.

In 327, Emperor Constantine split the diocese of Moesia into Dacia and Macedonia. The two provinces of Epirus, along with the provinces of Macedonia, Thessaly, and Achaia, became part of the diocese of Macedonia (capital Thessalonica).

In 343, in the Acts of the [[Council of Sardica]], we have the first mention by name of a bishop of Nicopolis, one Isidoros.

In 361, newly appointed Consul and rhetorician [[Claudius Mamertinus]] delivered a panegyric to the young Emperor [[Julian the Apostate|Julian]] (360–363), mentioning heavy taxation in [[Dalmatia (Roman province)|Dalmatia]] and Epirus. He emphasised the destruction of some of the most important monuments while congratulating the Emperor  for his restoration work.<ref>T. E. Gregory, s.v. Nikopolis of Epirus, Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium, vol. 3.</ref>