AMPHIPOLIS ăm fĭ pə’ lĭs (̓Αμφίπολις, G315). A city and trading center of Thrace. Originally it was a Thracian town known as ̓Εννἐα ὁδοί (nine roads) located on the E bank of the Strymon River (modern Struma or Karasu) where it emerged from Lake Cercinitis about three m. from the sea. Its seaport, Eion, was located at the mouth of the river. According to some it was called Amphipolis because it was almost completely surrounded by a bend in the river. The site was a terraced hill which was protected on the NW and S by the river and elsewhere by a wall. The name may be derived from the fact that it was conspicuous on all sides, as Thucydides notes.

It was settled in 436 b.c. by Athenian colonists under Hagnon after previous attempts in 497, 476 and 465 had failed. In 424 b.c. it surrendered to the Spartan general, Brasidas, because of the negligence of the historian Thucydides, who was with a fleet at the island of Thasos nearby. It was to be restored to Athens by the peace of Nicias in 421, but remained independent until it was occupied by Philip of Macedon in 357.

The region was economically important for two reasons. The fertile land nearby yielded excellent wine, oil and wood. Fine wool was also produced. Silver and gold were mined in the area. The town was strategically important to the Romans, because of its situation. It commanded a bridge over the Strymon and the main road, the Via Egnatia, across Macedonia from Dyrrachium, the seaport in Epirus connecting Italy and Greece in ancient times, to the Hellespont. It was thirty-three m. S of Philippi. Under the Romans it was recognized as a free town though it was the residence of the Rom. governor of Macedonia.

Paul traveled through it on the way from Philippi to Thessalonica, evidently without preaching there (Acts 17:1).

It was known as Popolia in the Middle Ages. The village of Neochori (Turkish, Yeni Keui) now occupies the site. Numerous inscrs. and coins have been found. Portions of the ancient fortification walls and of a Rom. aqueduct still survive.

Bibliography G. Hirshfeld in Pauly-Wissowa RE s.v. “Amphipolis.”