Philippi in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

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What is Philippi?
PHILIP'PI
(see Philip), the chief city of the eastern division of Macedonia, situated near the borders of Thrace and 8 miles north-west of Neapolis, which was its seaport. It lay between two mountain-ranges, and a paved Roman road led over the steep range Symbolum from Neapolis to Philippi, over which Paul went. History. - The place was at first called Crenides, or "fountains," from its numerous springs. It also at one time bore the name of Datum. Philip, the father of Alexander the Great, took it from the Thracians, garrisoned it as a frontiertown, and gave it his name. It is made famous by the noted battle of Philippi, fought, b.c. 42, between Octavius and Antony on the one side, and Brutus and Cassius on the other. In honor of this victory Augustus made Philippi a "colony." These colonies were miniature Romes established on foreign soil. The Roman law was administered, and the Roman language was used even among natives who spoke Greek. Scripture References. - Philippi was the first place in Europe to receive the gospel. Paul and Silas preached there; Lydia became a convert; the apostles cast out the "spirit of divination" from a damsel; were thrown into prison and miraculously delivered; the jailer was converted. Acts 16. Afterward, Paul revisited Philippi, and perhaps remained for a considerable time. Acts 20:1-6. The Christians of that city on four occasions sent contributions for his support, and he wrote to them the Epistle to the Philippians. Ignatius visited the city, a.d. 107, on his way to Rome, where he suffered martyrdom, and Polycarp sent the church at Philippi all the letters of Ignatius which Sardis had received, thus keeping up their sympathy with the suffering Christians. Present appearance. - The ruins of the citadel are still seen on the summit of a rounded hill. The circuit of the walls which enclosed the hill and a part of the plain can be traced. Next to the theatre is a temple of Silvanus, and various tablets show the list of donors, the members of the sacred college, etc. Four massive pillars mark the site of the forum, where the apostles were publicly scourged. About 10 furlongs to the west of Philippi is a small river called the Gangas or Gangites, now the Bournabachi, which is probably the place where the Jews had their place of prayer.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'philippi' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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