In the 4th century BCE a small settlement was erected on a rocky hill that guards the passage from the Ambracian Gulf to the interior of Epirus. No more than 100 houses. The people were farmers and shepherds but are also excellent warriors. Their place, Orraon, is a fortified town. The streets are narrow and there are no public spaces, there is though a large cistern to collect rainwater in case of a siege. There are also strong walls with towers. Orraon was one of the cities of Epirus that fought against the Romans in 168 BCE. The others were completely destroyed but Orraon only lost its defences. The Romans allowed it to exist without walls until the end of the 1st century BCE, when its residents were forcefully relocated to newly-founded Nicopolis.