== History ==
[[File:THAM-Amazonomachy sarcophagus 4.jpg|thumb|right|Scultped Sculpted neo-attic sarcophagus at the Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum]]
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 [[coin|coins]]s.
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 250 AD, under the reign of the emperor [[Decius]], Thessalonica became a colony of Rome. After [[Galerius]] became emperor, and his victory over the Narses, he celebrated by building a triumphal arch in Thessalonica, a structure that continues exists until this day. Thessalonica continued to benefit during this reign with numerous construction and building projects being commenced at the site. At the time of the [[Byzantine Empire]], Thessalonica continued to greatly flourish, and second to [[Constantinople]] as the most important city in the entire empire. As many centuries came by, the fortifications at Thessalonica were rebuilt and even extended, and was thus able to withstand attacks from the Slavs in the 6th and 7th centuries AD.
== Letters to the Thessalonians ==
Without a doubt, the ancient city of Thessalonica is most famous today for being the subject of two letters sent by the early Christian [[Paul]], which have become some of the most widely distributed and studied documents in all of history since their canonization into the [[Bible]], and are agreed to be by the majority of specialists to be of the pen of Paul himself.<ref>Witherington, Ben. 1 and 2 Thessalonians: A socio-rhetorical commentary. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2006.</ref><ref>Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. InterVarsity Press, 1970.</ref> As is revealed by the name, the letters of [[I Thessalonians]] and [[II Thessalonians]] were written to the [[church]] of Thessalonica. Paul praises the Thessalonians for their devotion to [[God]] and [[Jesus Christ]] by proclaiming that their "faith in God has become known everywhere."<ref>Paul, ''1 Thessalonian'',
1.9</ref>
== See Also also ==
*[[Thessaloniki]]
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== External Links links ==
*[http://www.inthessaloniki.com/en/thessaloniki-brief-history Thessalonica: Brief history]