Amphipolis, a city of Macedonia. (Acts xvii. 1.) It is almost surrounded by the river Strymon, whence its name, which means "a city surrounded." It is now called Emboli.
Apollonia. (Acts xvii. 1.) A city of Macedonia, situated at the head of the Ægean Sea, on a promontory between Thessalonica and Philippi.
Berea, (Acts xvii. 10,) now Veria. A city of Macedonia, about twenty miles west of Thessalonica, near Mount Pindus. The Bereans were honorably distinguished for their diligence in searching the Scriptures, under the preaching of Paul. For this and other causes, it was a place of much interest in the days of the Apostles. (Acts xvii. 10, 15, and xx. 4.) It now contains about 20,000 inhabitants, [chiefly Turks and Greeks,] and produces rice, fruit, and marble, and has manufactures of cotton.
Nicopolis, (Tit. iii. 12,) the place where Paul determined to winter, is now called Nicopi, or Nicopoli, a town upon the river Nessus, [now Karasa,] which divided Thrace from Macedonia. Another town of the same name was in Epirus, opposite Actium, to which some have thought the apostle refers in the above passage.
Philippi. (Acts xvi. 12.) A city of Macedonia, formerly called Dathos; but being re-built and greatly magnified by Philip, father of Alexander the Great, it took from him the name Philippi. It is at the head of the Ægean Sea, nine or ten miles north-west of Neapolis. It stood about 70 miles north-east of Thessalonica. It was rendered famous by the defeat of Brutus and Cassius in its neighborhood. Here Paul preached about A.D. 52. Its modern name is Diliba. It is a place of great celebrity in profane history, and is called the chief or first city of that part of Macedonia.
Thessalonica, the capital of Macedonia. It was anciently called Halis, and Thermæ; but Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, called it Thessalonica, to commemorate his victory over the Thessalians. About A.D. 52, Paul, Silas and Timothy planted a church here. It was at this time a city of great commerce and wealth, and abounded with Jews. The Saracens took it about
