AKRI (cape in Acarnania)
Cape with ancient Apollo sanctuary in western Greece
- Kind of place
- Cape
- Region
- Acarnania
- Where
- 38.95° N, 20.77° E
The promontory of Actium forms the entrance to the Ambracian Gulf. Strabo 10.2.7 The town contains a famous temple dedicated to Apollo. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.2 ¶1 Actian Apollo watched the war and stretched his bow over the combatants, causing Egyptian, Arab, and Indian troops to flee in terror. Aeneid 8.671
Described in the sources
Nicopolis is located above the cape known as Actium. Pausanias 10.8.3 +1 Anactorium is situated on a peninsula near Actium, at a distance of 40 stadia from the Actium temple. Strabo 10.2.2 +1 Actium is the first coastal location encountered in Acarnania when starting from the Ambracian Gulf entrance. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.2 ¶1 +1 Actium has a harbour located on its outer side. Strabo 10.2.7 The river Evenus is located 670 stadia away from Actium. Strabo 10.2.21 Leucas is located 240 stadia away from the temple at Actium. Strabo 10.2.7 The temple of Apollo Actius shares its name with the Actium promontory. Strabo 10.2.7 Pearls found near Actium are considered better than those from Acarnania. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 9.56 ¶2 The Trojans gathered on the holy shore of Actium to perform solemn rites. Aeneid 3.278 The sea near Actium is called the sea of Actium and Leucate by local inhabitants. Ovid, Heroides 15.154
Gods and worship
The place near Actium has a law where love changes to free the lover from their flame. Ovid, Heroides 15.154
Stories and history
Augustus founded Actium as a colony. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 4.2 ¶1 Deucalion plunged himself unhurt into the sea near Actium. Ovid, Heroides 15.154 The pearls discovered in the vicinity of Actium are described as small. Pliny, Nat. Hist. 9.56 ¶2 The shield displayed on the temple door had previously been worn by Abas. Aeneid 3.278 Deucalion jumped into the sea near Actium to cure his hopeless love for Pyrrha. Ovid, Heroides 15.154