First established by the Corinthian colony of Anaktorium around 625 BCE,[1] it was located on a hill and within its sanctuary according to Strabo[2] and served as a focal point of the cult of Apollo Aktios, a god associated with the sea and navigation.

[1] In particular, the site gained prominence after the pivotal Battle of Actium in 31 BCE when Octavian (later Emperor Augustus) defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra VII.

[3][4][5] Archaeological investigations have revealed evidence of three distinct construction phases, reflecting the site's evolution from its archaic origins to the Roman period.

The walls measure 1.75 m in height, and they were constructed using opus reticulatum, a Roman masonry technique characterized by small, square stones set diagonally to create a lattice-like pattern.

Decorated with geometric patterns, the mosaic's design not only provided a visually engaging surface but also highlighted the importance of the sandstone base for the central cult statue.

Ancient sources, including Suetonius and Cassius Dio, mentioned Octavian's efforts to enlarge the temple, integrating it into his broader program of imperial propaganda,[3][4] which matches the third construction phase proven by the excavation.

Despite these enhancements, some elements of earlier phases were retained, with the archaic statue base preserved and the Hellenistic pebble mosaic adjusted to accommodate new foundations.

[5] The renovation of the Temple of Apollo Aktios was part of Octavian's on-site commemorative projects that scattered around the former battlefield of the War of Actium, including the victory city of Nicopolis, the Campsite Tropaeum, and the Actian dekanaia.

One of the memorials, the Actian dekanaia, was located exactly down the hill of this temple and was dedicated to Apollo Aktios, highlighting the deity's role as a sacred symbol in the commemorative projects.