THESSALONICA thĕs’ ə lə nī’ ka (Θεσσαλονίκη, G2553). The capital city of the Rom. province of Macedonia.
1. Topography. The city was strategically located on the Thermaic Gulf to the W of the Chalcidice. The Via Egnatia passed through it and linked it with all the important cities of Macedonia. Cicero (pro Plancio 41) described it as posita in gremio imperii nostri, “situated in the bosom of our domain.”
2. History. There are three accounts of the naming of the city. The most probable is that it was founded by Cassander c. 315 b.c. and named for his wife, the daughter of Philip II (Strabo VII, fragment 21). Others state that the city was founded by Philip himself and that it was named either for his daughter or in honor of his victory over the Thessalians. The new city incorporated the population of a number of neighboring towns, principally Therma, Anea, Cissus, and Chalastra.
Livy indicates that the city was a great Macedonian naval base. It displaced Pella as the chief port of Macedonia when its harbor silted up. It surrendered to the Romans after the battle of Pydna and became the capital of the second of the four districts of Macedonia in 167 b.c. (Livy XLIV: 10,45; XLV:29). Later, Macedonia was made a single province and Thessalonica, the capital. During the civil war, it was the headquarters for Pompey’s army. In the campaign against Cassius and Brutus, it sided with Antony and Octavian and was declared a free city because of its loyalty (Plutarch Brutus 46). The city enjoyed local autonomy during the period of the Rom. empire and became the most prosperous of the Macedonian cities. Luke (Acts 17:6) appropriately uses the term “politarch” (πολιτάρχης, G4485) for the magistrates of the city, who were either five or six in number. Inscriptions found in the city, one on the Vardar Gate, verify this title, a unique one in the Rom. empire.
3. Archeology. Remains of extensive Byzantine walls, built on earlier foundations, are still visible. The Via Egnatia ran from the SE to the NW. The two entrances to the city were spanned by the Vardar Gate, destroyed in 1876, to the W and the Arch of Galerius on the E. Nineteenth-cent. travelers have left sketches and descriptions of many of the monuments in the city, notably the early Byzantine churches, but most of these were destroyed by a fire that swept the city in 1917.
4. Biblical importance. Paul first visited Thessalonica after Philippi on the second missionary journey. Because of its location, it was an invaluable center for the spread of the Gospel. Paul was later to say, “the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere” (1 Thess 1:8). He first appeared at the synagogue, and as a result some Jews and proselytes believed, including a number of prominent women (Acts 17:2-4). This prompted the Jews to stir up the Gentile population to persecute Paul and Silas. A flourishing church was founded there during three weeks of ministry, which ended when the mob attacked the house of Jason where Paul was staying. Paul and Silas were thus forced to flee to Berea (17:5-10). Paul no doubt returned to the city on the third journey, though only a general ministry in Macedonia is specifically mentioned (20:1-3). Later, while in prison at Rome, he entertained a hope of visiting Macedonia again (Phil 1:25, 26; 2:24). After his release, he ministered in the vicinity of Thessalonica and may well have revisited the city (1 Tim 1:3; 2 Tim 4:13; Titus 3:12). A few of the converts of his ministry are mentioned by name: Jason (Acts 17:5-9; cf. Rom 16:21); possibly Demas (2 Tim 4:10); Gaius (Acts 19:29; cf. 20:4); Secundus and Aristarchus (20:4).
Bibliography E. D. Burton, “The Politarchs,” AJT, II (1898), 598-632; O. Tafrali, Thessalonique des origines au XIVe siècle (1919).