Megalopolis served as the center of the Arcadian League and was founded on the initiative of Epaminondas following the Battle of Leuctra (371 BC). Its synoecism was achieved through the incorporation of numerous cities and villages of the Megalopolitis region. The city was destroyed by Cleomenes III in 223/2 BC. When Pausanias visited in the 2nd century AD, he found it largely in ruins; nevertheless, it remained a small provincial center and later became an episcopal see.