Augustus' decision to initially found Nicopolis and afterwards to refound Patrae by transferring to these two cities part of the population of Acarnania, Aetolia, and Achaea was due to the fact that the first two regions particularly had sustained severe damage from the Roman civil wars. After the battle of Actium and his victory over the forces of Antony, Augustus took certain measures intended to economically strengthen war-stricken Hellenic regions.
It was in the context of this policy that he created the two aforementioned cities, with enormous tracts of land attached to them administratively. The first, Nicopolis, which was built not far from Actium, had Ambracia and the whole of Acarnania under its control. The second - the Roman colony of Patrae (Colonia Augusta Aroe Patrae) - created in 16 B.C. as a rest home for veterans of the Tenth and Twelfth Legions. It also developed a strong textile industry specializing in linens. Patrae controlled the whole region from Dyme to Aegium; southern Aetolia; and virtually all the territory of the Ozolian Locrians except for Amphissa. Other cities in these regions either became tributary (as happened with Naupactus) or were abandoned entirely.

But there was another important colony besides Nicopolis and Patrae, and this was Corinth. Its foundation, begun in Julius Caesar's day, was completed in the reign of Augustus. Corinth developed rapidly, by virtue of its geographical situation, and became powerful enough to function as a seat of government and become the first and largest city in the province of Achaea. It was the centre of trade between Italy and Hellas, serving Augustus' purpose, so it would seem, of leaving control of trade to Corinth and Patrae. As to trade along the northerly shores, this centred on Nicopolis which used its own two ports and that of Anactorium. It should be stressed, lastly, that until these cities were founded and developed, trade in Achaea was controlled by Sparta and Argos.