Heraclea Lyncestis

41.01121.342Koordinaten: 41 ° 0 ' 40 "N, 21 ° 20' 31" E

Heraclea Lynkestis (Greek Ἡράκλεια Λυγκηστίς or Ἡράκλεια Λύγκου ) was the capital of the obermakedonischen landscape Lynkestis. The ruins of the city lie on the western edge of the modern town of Bitola in the southwest of the Republic of Macedonia.

Heraclea was probably founded by Philip II 359-356 BC, when the king had the Illyrians Lynkestis torn in several military expeditions and countryside linked it with Macedonia. The town was situated on a small hill on the important east-west connection from Dyrrachium on the Adriatic Lychnidos over to Macedonia and Thrace. This route was later expanded by the Romans to the Via Egnatia. Another important road led by Stobi in peonies. Both because of this convenient location and because of the excellent suitable for agriculture environment, Heraclea quickly became the administrative center of the prosperous Lynkestis.

In the Roman civil war, Gaius Julius Caesar put in Heraclea at a supply base for its operating in the Balkans troops. After the war, Roman veterans settled here. Although the city experienced during the Principate a new heyday as extensive excavations have proved, it is rarely mentioned by the ancient authors.

Emperor Hadrian had the theater of Heraclea establish whether there was a previous building is uncertain.

From the 4th century to the 6th century, numerous names have been handed down by bishops from Heraclea who have participated in various councils and synods.

472 Heraclea was sacked by the Ostrogoths under Theodoric. This happened 479 again, though the bishop had tried to ransom the city. At the turn of the 5th to 6th century, the city was rebuilt, the end of the 6th century but occupied by the Slavs destroyed and then finally abandoned.

During excavations in the thirties, 1960-1964 and 1970-1975 sections of the fortified acropolis, the theater, baths, basilicas with two late antique mosaics and the remains were uncovered by some private homes. The minor basilica and the associated baptistery were partially restored, as the remains of houses from the Hellenistic period.

Most finds from Heraclea are kept and exhibited at the Museum of Bitola.