Amphipolis (Ἀμφίπολις, Amphipolis, “around the city”). A city of Macedonia near the Aegean coast. Paul and Silas passed through it briefly on their way from Philippi to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1).

Amphipolis was located about three miles from the mouth of the Strymon River, on its east bank. The ancient city was atop a terraced hill, with the river to the north, west, and south. It was protected on the east by a wall (Thucydides, Hist. 4.102).

It was at first called Ennea Hodoi, “Nine Ways.” This name suggests its importance both strategically and commercially. It guarded the main route from Thrace into Macedonia and later became an important station on the Egnatian Way (Via Egnatia). This was the great Roman road from Dyrrhachium on the Adriatic to the Hebrus. Paul took this road when passing through Amphipolis.

The Athenians attempted to colonize it in 465–464 bc, but were not initially successful. Their general, Hagnon, succeeded in 436 bc. The population was then composed of a mix of the original inhabitants and Athenian colonists, but the Athenians were too few for the town to be very loyal to Athens. In 424 bc it fell to the Spartan leader Brasidas. Philip of Macedon conquered it in 357 bc.

When the Romans divided Macedonia after the battle of Pydna (168 bc), Amphipolis was granted the status of a free city and became the capital of Macedonia Prima.

Lazarus Wentz