Macedonia

• Macedonia was a Roman Province which today forms part of central Greece and northern Albania.

1. History

• Pre-Roman history:
  • Timeline of Ancient Greece
  • It is thought that the Ionians, Achaeans, Aeolians, Minyes, Macedni, and the Dorian Tribes all merged with their respective languages into the Greek speaking Macedonians.
  • 7th century BCE The Kingdom of Macedonia was established, under hereditary kings supported by an Aristocracy. It was unique, as the rest of Greece had all developed into City States. Macedonia acted as a frontier for the rest of Greece.
  • 359 BCE Philip II of Macedonia came to power and set about conquering the surrounding areas.
  • 338 BCE Philip II was now King of all Greece, except Sparta, but in 336 CE he was assassinated which stopped his plan to attack the Persian Empire.
• Alexander the Great
  • 336 BCE He inherited the Kingdom aged 21, and continued his Father’s plans to invade Persia which he succeeded in doing by 331 BCE.
  • 323 BCE He died aged 33, which caused the Greek Macedonian Empire to fragment, leaving Rome as the new growing Power.
• Macedonian Wars (214-148 BCE)
  • 214-205 BCE First Macedonian War. Philip V of Macedon allied with Hannibal of Carthage. The War ended in a Peace Treaty.
  • 200-196 BCE Second Macedonian War
  • 171-168 BCE Third Macedonian War. Where the Roman Maniple System defeated the Macedonian Phalanx System.
  • 168 BCE Battle of Pydna Where the Macedonian Army was defeated. Macedonia was then divided into four Roman Client Republics, ending the Macedonian Kingdom.
  • 149-148 BCE Fourth Macedonian War after which Macedonia became a Roman Province.
• Acquisition by Rome:
  • 146 BCE Formally recognised as the Roman Province of Macedonia, along with Achaea and Epirus.
• Timeline of this Province:
• Under The Republic:
• After Augustus reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE):
• After Diocletian’s Reforms of (297 CE):
  • Divided in two:
    • Macedonia Prima and Macedonia Salutaris in the south.
    • Epirus Vetus made a separate Province.
• After Death of Theodosius in 395 CE:
  • Became part of the Eastern Roman Empire.
• Famous Persons from this Province:
  • Polybius: Greek Author of ‘The Histories’ covering the period 220-146 BCE.
  • Antipater of Thessalonica: Governor of Thessalonica who wrote of 100 Epigrams in the Greek Anthology.
  • Phillipus of Thessalonica, Author of 72 Epigrams in the Greek Anthology.
• Chief archeological Finds:
  • Thessalonica, Durres
• Historic Battle Sites:
  • Battle of Pydna (168 BCE)
  • Battle of Philippi (42 BCE)
• Main Historical Sources for this Province:
  • Polybius

2. Geography

• Capital City:
  • Thessalonica (Thessaloniki)
• Chief Cities:
  • Amphipolis, Apollonia, Beroea, Durres (Dyrrachium) in Albania, Edessa, Neapolis, Pella, Phillipi, Pydna.
• Location Today:
  • Central Greece and Albania
• Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • Achaea, Epirus, Dalmatia, Moesia Superior, Thracia
• Climate and Temperature Today:
  • Partly Alpine climate
    • In the Pindus Mountains
  • Partly Temperate climate
    • Cold, damp winters and hot, dry summers
• Main Geographical features:
  • Lake Ohrid: The Deepest Lake in the Balkans with a depth of 940 ft (288m).
• Main Rivers:
  • R. Vardar, R. Pineios, R. Haliacmon, R. Axios, R. Strymonas.
• Mountain Ranges:
  • Pindus Mountains
    • Known as the Spine of Greece, the highest Peak is Mount Smolikas 8,651 ft (2,637m)
  • Mount Olympus
    • 9,570 ft (2,917 m) Highest mountain in Greece and the home of the Twelve Olympians.
  • Mount Othrys
    • This is where the original Greek Gods lived, The Titans.
• Islands:

3. Political Organisation

• Province Type
  • Senatorial Propraetorial Province
• Governor:
  • Propraetor
• Tribes and Population:
  • Ionians, Achaeans, Aeolian, Minyes, Macedni, and the Dorians all merged with their languages into the Greek speaking Macedonians.
• Language:
  • Greek

4. Military Organisation

• Legions:
• Navy:
• Defensive Works:
• Main Threats:

5. Economy

• Chief Exports:
  • Gold, Iron, Copper. Timber, Resin, Pitch, Flax.
  • Slaves: particularly Greek Tutors and Doctors who worked throughout the Roman Empire.
• Agriculture and Fishing:
• Manufacturing:
• Mines:
• Mints:

6. Transport

• Roads:
  • Via Egnatia
    • Durres (Dyrrachium)-Thessalonica–Byzantium
    • It crossed the Passes in the Pindus Mountains, and ran from the Adriatic to the Aegean, all in the Province of Macedonia.
• Waterways:
  • R. Vardar,
• Ports:
  • Thessalonica, Dyrrhachium, Cassandreia, Dion, Pella, Neapolis
• Ancient Trade Routes:
  • Over the mountains from the Danube to the Aegean via Moesia Superior.
  • Along the Via Egnatia from the Adriatic to the Aegean, the Romans built their road over a more ancient Roadway.
• Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7. Relationship with Rome

• It became a peaceful, stable, wealthy Greek speaking Roman Province, continuing through into the Byzantine Empire.

8. History of Christianity in this Province

• St. Demetrius, patron Saint of Thessalonica, was a military Saint martyred in 306 CE for refusing to participate in ritual of loyalty to the Emperor, under the Diocletianic Persecution (303-313 CE).

9. Roman Authors describing this Province

Macedonia