Patreus was the leader of the
Achaeans who came from
Sparta after the renowned
Dorian Invasion.[2] The
Ionians who occupied the region were forced to leave their settlements and travel to
Attica and
Ionia on the western coast of
Asia Minor. It was then that Patreus was crowned King of
Aroe, one of the small
city-states that lay in the region. Under Patreus' reign, Aroe was unified with two other neighbouring cities,
Messatis and
Antheia. The new united city was named "Patras" (
ancient greek: "Πάτραι"), after Patreus, its mythical founder.[3][4] His tomb was shown in the city's marketplace, next to the statue of
Athena.[5]