Nicephorus Gregoras
The city was probably abandoned after the Slavic invasions of the 7th century, but reappears in the 9th century under the name Neai Patrai (Νέαι Πάτραι, "New Patras") or Patrai Helladikai (Πάτραι Ἑλλαδικαὶ, "Patras in Hellas"). Nicephorus Gregoras, writing in the 14th century, mentions it as being a strongly fortified place in the 12th century. Otherwise, until the 13th century, the city is mentioned only as an ecclesiastical centre (see below).