The Games in honour of god Apollo were held in Actium for a very long time; they were important but local. Following the victory of Augustus in the Battle of Actium, though, the area acquires a new importance. The emperor reorganizes the games to express his gratitude to the god who helped him in his hour of need. He erects new venues, including a Gymnasium, a Stadium, and a Theater in a grove called Proastio (at least that’s what the ancient geographer Strabo tells us). The new Actian Games include athletic competitions, horse racing, and artistic events. It is also possible that the new stadium hosted gladiatorial combats and animal fighting, but these are not part of the Actian Games. Apollo did not give in to the new customs of the Romans.