The Via Egnatia At Philippi, Greece

by David Padfield

 

After receiving the Macedonian call in Acts 16:9, the apostle Paul travelled from Troas to Neapolis on the seacoast of northern Greece, and then went inland to Philippi where he proclaimed the gospel for the first time on European soil.

Philippi was the site of one of the most decisive battles in world history. In 42 B.C. Brutus and Cassius (Julius Caesar's assassinators) met the combined forces of Mark Antony and Octavian in battle at Philippi. Two battles were fought at Philippi and Brutus and Cassius were soundly defeated. Years later Mark Antony committed suicide in Egypt, leaving Octavian as the undisputed ruler of the Roman Empire.

Paul's preaching in Philippi resulted in the conversion of Lydia and her household, and the conversion of the Philippian jailor and his household.

The Via Egnatia was a major Roman highway that ran though Philippi towards Thessalonica.