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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]].

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.

In the first century BC, Thessalonica was utilized by the general [[Pompey the Great]] as a base during his battles with [[Julius Caesar]]. Even though Caesar would go on to defeat Pompey, Thessalonica continued to flourish. Towards the first century AD, it was famously visited by the early apostle [[Paul]], where he attained a local disciple whose name is [[Aristarchus of Thessalonica]], who would later become the bishop of [[Apamea]].<ref>[http://biblehub.com/topical/a/aristarchus.htm Aristarchus of Thessalonica]</ref> In the second century AD, the city of Thessalonica would attract the sophist and ancient author [[Lucian]].

In the first century BC, Thessalonica was utilized by the general [[Pompey the Great]] as a base during his battles with [[Julius Caesar]]. Even though Caesar would go on to defeat Pompey, Thessalonica continued to flourish. Towards the first century AD, it was famously visited by the early apostle [[Paul]], where he attained a local disciple whose name is [[Aristarchus of Thessalonica]], who would later become the bishop of [[Apamea]].<ref>[http://biblehub.com/topical/a/aristarchus.htm Aristarchus of Thessalonica]</ref> In the second century AD, the city of Thessalonica would attract the sophist and ancient author [[Lucian]].