Ancient Megalopolis was situated at the northwest side of the modern Megalopolis on the banks of Elisonas River. The city of Ancient Megalopolis survived about two centuries however it was a significant city of Arcadia. Even the name Megalopolis which means “Big city” indicates the importance of this ancient city.
The history of the city started in 371BC when the Thebans prevailed over Sparta in the battle of Lefktra. This event was of major importance because Sparta was until then the dominant city in the area. The Theban general Epaminondas grabbed the opportunity to change the political situation.
Epaminondas established the city of Megalopoli in Arcadia in order to minimize Sparta’s sovereignty in the area. According to Pausanias, residents from forty surrounding Arcadian cities settled in Megalopoli. Some of those people settled in the city on their own free will while others were dragged violently. The residents of the Arcadian city “Trapezounta” refused to relocate and Arcadians slaughtered their population. The residents of Trapezounta who managed escaped the slaughter immigrated to Asia where they established the new city of Trapezounda which today is in Turkey (Trabzon).