Philippi

Philippi was an important city in ancient Greece, located northwest of the island of Thasos. It was first called Crenides, meaning "Fountains," and later renamed by Philip II of Macedon in 356 BC. Over time, Philippi grew and became a busy place with strong ties to the Roman Empire.

The city is important for early Christianity, as it helped spread Christian teachings. Today, visitors can see the ruins of Philippi, which were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016 for its special Roman architecture and well-planned streets.

One well-known event in Philippi was the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. It had a big effect on ancient history. Near the old city, you can now find the village of Filippoi close to the modern city of Kavala, in the region of East Macedonia and Thrace.

History

Thasian settlers started a place called Crenides in Thrace around 360/359 BC. In 356 BC, King Philip II of Macedon took over and renamed it Philippi. The city was important because it was near gold mines and on a key travel route.

Later, in a big battle in 42 BC, the forces of Mark Antony and Octavian defeated others at Philippi. The city became a Roman colony and grew wealthy with many important buildings.

In New Testament times, the apostle Paul visited Philippi and helped start one of the first Christian communities there. Over time, the city faced challenges like invasions and earthquakes, and it was eventually abandoned.

Archaeological excavation of the site

The site of Philippi was first described in modern times by Georges Perrot in 1860. More detailed studies followed in 1861 by Léon Heuzey and Honoré Daumet. Major excavations started in 1914, but paused during the First World War. They continued until 1937 and uncovered important areas like the Greek theatre and public baths. After the Second World War, Greek archaeologists resumed work. Between 1958 and 1978, teams found more structures including a special church area and large homes.