The goal of the research is the creation of sustainable models, to be compared with contemporary municipalities, aiming sustainability. The method of indicator comparisons is promoted by the European Environmental Agency and the European Committee, although that known “sustainable” indicators refer to data from cities that are not sustainable. Identifying the insufficient way to sustainability, the research investigates the function and flows, of 28 autonomous, self-sufficient settlements in Epirus, before the industrialization, based on their cyclical ecosystem behavior, in four fields: political, economic, environmental, and social. The settlements as ecosystems are applied in the DPSIR framework of EEA, giving the perfect function, which concerned political autonomy, self-preservation, a high quality of life and education level, as out-flows culture, legacies, and pan European trade. Therefore, sustainability and cyclical urban ecosystem are indeed identical terms, concerning social, economic, and environmental excellence. The fields are highly interdependent. The basis, or the “Driving force”, for the ecosystemic function to sustainability is an independent-strong local authority, empowered by local economy of the primary sector. These condition in a “green” built environment, is able to achieve strong social cohesion. The ecosystemic-function of the preindustrial models as benchmarks can lead the way to a contemporary sustainability excellence.