Amphipolis (redirected from Amfipoli)

Amphipolis (ămfĭ`pəlĭs), ancient city of Macedonia, on the Strymon (Struma) River near the sea and NE of later Thessaloníki. The place was known as Ennea Hodoi [nine ways] before it was settled and was of interest because of the gold and silver and timber of Mt. Pangaeus (Pangaion), to which it gave access. Athenian colonists were driven out (c.464 B.C.) by Thracians, but a colony was established in 437 B.C. Amphipolis became one of the major Greek cities on the N Aegean. This colony was captured by Sparta, and Brasidas and Cleon were both killed in a battle there in 422 B.C. After it was returned to Athens in 421 B.C., it actually had virtual independence until captured (357 B.C.) by Philip II of Macedon. He had promised to restore it to Athens, and his retention of Amphipolis was a major cause of the war with Athens. In 148 B.C. it became the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. Paul, Silas, and Timothy passed through Amphipolis (Acts 17.1). Nearby is the modern Greek village of Amfípolis.

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Amphipolis

Ancient city, eastern Macedonia, near the mouth of the Struma River. Amphipolis was a strategic transportation centre, controlling the bridge over the river and the route from northern Greece to the Dardanelles. Colonized by Athens in 437 BC, it was taken by Sparta in 424 BC. It soon received its independence, only to be taken by Philip II of Macedon in 358 BC. Later, under Roman rule, it was the headquarters of the Roman governor of Macedonia.