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'''Thessalonica'''<ref>Cartwright, Mark. "Thessalonica." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 01 May 2016. Web. 14 May 2017.</ref> (thes-sal-on-ee'-kay,  Greek: '''Θεσσαλονίκη''' - modern-day city of [[Thessaloniki]])<ref>[http://biblehub.com/greek/2332.htm Strong's Greek Dictionary - 2332. Thessaloniké]</ref> was a large and prosperous ancient city located in northern [[Greece]] and was the capital of the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] province of [[Macedon]], founded by the Macedonian general [[Cassander]] in 316 BC. It was a major trade route in its time, one of the most important cities of the ancient [[Byzantine Empire]], second only to [[Constantinople]], and its importance attracted figures like the emperor of [[Rome]] [[Galerius]], [[Cicero]], [[Lucian]], and is probably most well-known today for being the subject of two letters by the early Christian [[Paul]] known today as [[I Thessalonians]] and [[II Thessalonians]].

'''Thessalonica'''<ref>Cartwright, Mark. "Thessalonica." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 01 May 2016. Web. 14 May 2017.</ref> (thes-sal-on-ee'-kay,  Greek: '''Θεσσαλονίκη''' - modern-day city of [[Thessaloniki]])<ref>[http://biblehub.com/greek/2332.htm Strong's Greek Dictionary - 2332. Thessaloniké]</ref> was a large and prosperous ancient city located in northern [[Greece]] and was the capital of the [[Roman Empire|Roman]] province of [[Macedon]], founded by the Macedonian general and king [[Cassander]] in 316 BC. It was a major trade route in its time, one of the most important cities of the ancient [[Byzantine Empire]], second only to [[Constantinople]], and its importance attracted figures like the emperor of [[Rome]] [[Galerius]], [[Cicero]], [[Lucian]], and is probably most well-known today for being the subject of two letters by the early Christian [[Paul]] known today as [[I Thessalonians]] and [[II Thessalonians]].

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

The origins of the name ''Thessalonica'' can be traced back to its founding in 316 BC by the Macedonian general [[Cassander]], whom named the city after his wife, Thessalonike.

The origins of the name ''Thessalonica'' can be traced back to its founding in 316 BC by the Macedonian king [[Cassander]], whom named the city after his wife, Thessalonike.

== History ==

== History ==

In the late fourth century BC, the Macedonian general Cassander abolished all previous settlements in the region in order to unify the region into a single political unit, which became the city of Thessalonica. It was geographically strategically located by the [[Thermaic Gulf]], where lucrative trade routes from the city of [[Byzantium]] and the Danube basin met. Because of its advantages, it immediately replaced [[Pella]] as the most important port of Macedonia, thus leading to massive fortifications being almost immediately built around the city. In 273 BC, it was utilized as a base in order to launch attacks on [[Pyrrhus]], the king of [[Epirus]].

In the late fourth century BC, the Macedonian general and king Cassander abolished all previous settlements in the region in order to unify the region into a single political unit, which became the city of Thessalonica. It was geographically strategically located by the [[Thermaic Gulf]], where lucrative trade routes from the city of [[Byzantium]] and the Danube basin met. Because of its advantages, it immediately replaced [[Pella]] as the most important port of Macedonia, thus leading to massive fortifications being almost immediately built around the city. In 273 BC, it was utilized as a base in order to launch attacks on [[Pyrrhus]], the king of [[Epirus]].

During the [[Macedonian Wars]], it was able to successfully prolong sieges by the [[Roman Empire]]. However, this success did not last long, when soon after the Macedonian defeat at the [[Battle of Pydna]], it was conquered by the Romans. However, despite its fall to Roman rule, it continued to economically prosper. After the Romans defeated the Macedonian monarchy, Thessalonica soon became the capital of the province of [[Macedon]] in 148 BC. After [[Cicero]] was exiled from [[Rome]], he lived in Thessalonica in 58 BC. Then, after receiving many tax exemptions by the Romans, the prosperity of Thessalonica was exemplified, as is especially attested to by its up-heal in production of [[coins]].

During the [[Macedonian Wars]], it was able to successfully prolong sieges by the [[Roman Empire]]. However, this success did not last long, when soon after the Macedonian defeat at the [[Battle of Pydna]], it was conquered by the Romans. However, despite its fall to Roman rule, it continued to economically prosper. After the Romans defeated the Macedonian monarchy, Thessalonica soon became the capital of the province of [[Macedon]] in 148 BC. After [[Cicero]] was exiled from [[Rome]], he lived in Thessalonica in 58 BC. Then, after receiving many tax exemptions by the Romans, the prosperity of Thessalonica was exemplified, as is especially attested to by its up-heal in production of [[coins]].