The citizens of Nicopolis re-evaluated the suitability of their defences after a very strong shock delivered by a band of invaders. The bellicose Vandals set out from their bases in north Africa to attack in every direction. They even managed to occupy and plunder Rome itself. In 474 CE they attacked Nicopolis. The ease with which they entered the city forces the citizens to adopt drastic measures; they reduced the circumference of the wall and reorganize the urban space since it now occupies only 1/6th of the former area. The port continues to flourish but the other affluent suburb (the Proastion) is left outside the city walls. The public buildings, the Gymnasium and the Stadium, are no longer required since the ancient Games have been abolished throughout the empire.