The village was renamed after the ancient town of Leontium, the remains of which lie nearby.

This is supported by archeological excavations in the area by the archaeologist N. Kiparisis during the period 1931–32.

The different artifacts excavated in a number of ancient cemeteries confirmed the Polis flourished at about 1,000 BC.

[6] The temple of Artemis was located along the ancient road which led to Arcadia.

Its length was 35 m and its width was 11 m.[7] The city was destroyed at the end of the 3rd century BC by Philip V Macedon.