patra, as a city-state, was formed in the 6th century BC, and was allied with Athens and other city-states during the Peloponnesian War. It was conquered by the Romans in 146 BC and invaded by Slavs in 87 AD. Since then, it has been occupied by Franks, Venetians and Turks. During the Greek War of Independence in 1821, patra was the first city to hold a protest against Turkish rule.

There are many cultural relics in the ancient Greek city-state, Rome and Byzantine periods, among which mosaic paintings in Rome are the most famous.