Footsteps of Paul- Philippi

The Ancient City of Phillipi

 Here is John on the Egnatian Way- 

the same street where Paul would have walked.

The archaeological site lies at the foot of an acropolis in 

north-eastern Greece on the ancient route

 linking Europe with Asia, the Via Egnatia.

The marsh setting was near gold mines 

so that made it an interesting area to control.

The excavation site in Philippi.

 It was a major Greek city near the island of Thasos. 

Originally it was called Crenides 

when it was established about 360 BC. 

It was renamed by Philip II of Macedon in 356 BC.

The Battle of Philippi took place on these

 low hills right outside of the city in BC 42.

 Here Marc Antony and Octavian 

met the forces of Brutus and Cassius- 

who had assassinated Julius Caesar.

 The battle involved over 200,000 men 

and both Brutus and Cassius committed suicide at their defeat.

Roman military veterans were given parcels of land

 here during the Roman period.

Roman arches into the theater. 

The city was built up as a major 

governmental city in the Roman period. 

The theater at Philippi was remodeled by the 

Roman colonizers to suit the spectacles and theater held here. 

That fell away with the rise of Christianity

 and a new morality. It fell into ruin 

and became workshops or a source of building materials.

 It has been reconstructed in the years 

since and "finished" in 2009.

This is thought to be the prison cell of St Paul.

The New Testament records a visit here by St Paul

 during his second missionary journey- (likely AD 49 or 50).

Paul is thought to have preached for the first time 

on European soil in Philippi. 

Paul also visited here in 56 and 57.

Relief etchings still visible on a wall.

A beautifully preserved column.

Intricate mosaics and 4 magnificent basilicas 

came during the early Christian period 

of 4th-6th century AD.

 The city was abandoned in the 14th century

 after the Ottoman conquest.

Excavations were begun here in 1914 

and they continue today.

In 2016 this site was listed as 

World Heritage Site by UNESCO.