Philippi

Philippi (formerly Crenides, "the fountain") was the capital of the province of Macedonia. It stood near the head of the Sea, about 8 miles north-west of Kavalla. It is now a ruined village, called Philibedjik. Philip II of Macedon fortified the old Thracian town of Crenides, and called it after his own name "Philippi".

In 42 BC it was the site of the Battle of Philippi, the final battle between the forces of Marcus Antonius and Octavian Augustus and the forces of Cassius and Marcus Junius Brutus, Julius Caesar's assassins.

In the time of the Emperor Augustus this city became a Roman colony, i.e., a military settlement of Roman soldiers, there planted for the purpose of controlling the district recently conquered. It was a "miniature Rome," under the municipal law of Rome, and governed by military officers, called duumviri, who were appointed directly from Rome. Having been providentially guided thither, here Paul and his companion Silas preached the gospel and formed the first church in Europe.

This success stirred up the enmity of the people, and they were "shamefully entreated" (Acts 16:9-40; 1 Thess. 2:2). Paul and Silas at length left this city and proceeded to Amphipolis.

Initial text from Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897 -- Please update as needed