Macedonia (Roman province)
Rome clashed with the Macedonian kingdom in three wars during the early third century BC. The conflict ended when Roman forces defeated King Perseus at the conclusion of the Third Macedonian War in 168 BC. Following this victory, Rome abolished the Macedonian monarchy and divided the territory into four client republics. These new entities were called koina and had capitals located at Amphipolis, Thessalonica, Pella, and Pelagonia. They formed a federal league known as the League of the Macedonians. Numismatic evidence indicates that the cult of Roma was introduced at this time. Coins from Amphipolis, Pella, and Thessalonica depicted the goddess Roma during this period. Thessaly had been separated from the Macedonian monarchy already following the Second Macedonian War. A separate Thessalian League was created with Roman permission in 194 BC. Zeus Eleutherius and Athena Itonia served as patron deities for this new league. Its coinage superseded that of the individual Thessalian cities and continued until the end of the first century BC. The kingdom was briefly reunited in 150 BC by the pretender Andriscus. This event led to the Fourth Macedonian War which lasted from 149 to 148 BC. After defeating Andriscus near Pydna in 148 BC, Quintus Caecilius Metellus made Macedonia into Rome's fifth provincia. It was the first new province since the creation of Hispania Ulterior and Citerior in 197 BC. Surviving sources do not explicitly discuss how or why it was decided to convert the region into a permanent province. Factors may have included increased familiarity with territorial expansion and the proven failure of the previous system to maintain peace. The four republics continued to exist as subdivisions of the province, as did the federal league. The date of the establishment of the province in autumn 148 BC is indicated by the epoch date of the provincial era.
Sometime after 146 BC, Gnaeus Egnatius initiated the construction of the Via Egnatia. This Roman road began at Dyrrhachium on the Adriatic coast opposite the terminus of the Via Appia in Italy. It stretched across the Pindus mountains and continued through Macedonia to Thessalonica. From there it went to Cypsela on the east bank of the Hebrus river. This stretch was completed by 120 BC. The road followed a pre-existing route but was more solid and level than the previous road. Its width ranged between three and six metres. A second road from the Adriatic coast at Apollonia joined the main Via Egnatia somewhere inland shortly after 120 BC. Later in the second century BC, the eastern end of the road extended all the way to Byzantium. The road provided the main overland link between Rome and its domains in the Eastern Mediterranean. It served important military and economic purposes throughout the Republican period. The construction stimulated the economy greatly during the 130s and 120s BC. Roman merchants were installed in cities along the route. The founding of Roman colonies further boosted trade activity.
Macedonia was of central importance to Roman military strategy as a bulwark against attacks from the north. The Dardani to the northwest had initially supported the Romans in their conquest of Macedonia. After 148 BC they increasingly came into conflict with the Romans. There were also occasional conflicts with the Thracians to the east. The key enemy of the Romans in this period were the Scordisci. This Celtic group largely supplanted the Dardanians as the most powerful group in the central Balkans. They first invaded Macedonia in 149 BC during the Fourth Macedonian War. Metellus drove them out. In the first years of the province two pretenders attempted to restore the Macedonian kingdom. Alexander invaded from Thrace in 148 BC and was defeated by Metellus. Pseudo-Philip or Pseudo-Perseus invaded from the east in 143 or 142 with an army of up to 16,000 men. He was defeated by the quaestor Tremellus Scrofa. The Scordisci invaded in 141 BC and defeated a Roman army commanded by Decimus Junius Silanus Manlianus. Marcus Cosconius launched an attack on the Scordisci in 135 BC defeating them in Thrace. In 119 BC the Scordisci invaded again ravaging the area near Stobi. Praetor Sextus Pompeius met the forces in battle and was killed. His quaestor Marcus Annius regrouped and drove the Scordisci out. A series of consuls were sent to Macedonia to settle the threat decisively. Quintus Fabius Maximus Eburnus arrived in 115 BC but his activities are not attested. Gaius Porcius Cato launched a large-scale invasion in 114 BC but he was defeated and nearly the whole army was killed.
Following Actium Octavian entrusted Macedonia to the proconsul M. Licinius Crassus. He led a campaign into the north that lasted until 27 BC. Finally subjugating the whole region south of the Danube earned him a triumph. In the Augustan Settlement of 27 BC provinces were divided into two categories. Imperial provinces fell under legates appointed by the Emperor. Senatorial provinces continued to be governed by senators who had previously served as consuls or praetors. Most provinces with large military presence on borders became Imperial provinces. Macedonia was anomalous in being a senatorial province despite its military significance. Territories south of Thermopylae and the Ceraunian Mountains now became the separate province of Achaia. Moesia split off as a separate military command some time before 10 BC. It had become a separate province by AD 6. Territories to northwest of Macedonia in Illyricum separated into Dalmatia and Pannonia. In AD 15 complaints about corruption led Tiberius to convert Macedonia and Achaia into imperial provinces. Claudius made them both Senatorial provinces once more in AD 44. In the same year portion of Macedonia between Hebrus and Nestus rivers handed over to Thrace. The establishment of new provinces to north led to decline in military importance for Macedonia. Legions defending northern border based in Dalmatia, Moesia, and Thrace. Nevertheless province continued vital role in transport of supplies from Italy.
Reforms of Diocletian around AD 293 saw provinces replaced by dioceses and praetorian prefectures. These served as first order subdivision of Roman Empire. Provinces began to be split into smaller units. Province of Macedonia initially part of Diocese of Moesia. Subsequently became part of new Diocese of Macedonia administered from Thessaloniki. This was one of three dioceses comprising praetorian prefecture of Illyricum.
Meanwhile province divided into number of smaller provinces. Epirus Nova or Illyria Graeca established by Diocletian was first province to be divided off. Dyrrachium or Epidamnus became its capital. Region corresponded to portion of Illyria partly Hellenic and partly Hellenized. Macedonia Prima encompassed most Kingdom of Macedonia coinciding with modern Greek region. Thessalonica remained its capital. Macedonia Salutaris also known as Macedonia Secunda partially encompassing both Pelagonia and Dardania. It contained whole of Paeonia mostly coincides with present-day North Macedonia. Town of Stobi located junction of Crna Reka and Vardar rivers became provincial capital. Thessalia encompassed area ancient Thessaly in south of ancient Macedonia subdivided into Thessalia Prima and Thessalia Secunda. When Prefecture of Macedonia divided between Western and Eastern Empires in 379 Macedonian provinces included in Eastern Illyricum. With permanent division Empire in 395 Macedonia passed to Eastern Empire.
Reign of Augustus began long period peace prosperity wealth for Macedonia. Its importance economic standing Roman world diminished compared neighbor Asia Minor. Economy greatly stimulated construction Via Egnatia during 130s and 120s BC. Installation Roman merchants cities founded Roman colonies brought economic boom. Imperial government brought roads administrative system benefited ruling class lower classes. Vast arable rich pastures great ruling families amassed huge fortunes society based slave labor. Improvement living conditions productive classes increased number artisans craftspeople region. Stonemasons miners blacksmiths employed every kind commercial
activity craft. Greek people widely employed tutors educators doctors throughout Roman world. Export economy based essentially agriculture livestock iron copper gold exported. Timber resin pitch hemp flax fish also exported. Another source wealth kingdom ports such as Thessalonica Cassandreia. Six Roman colonies established Triumviral period Cassandrea Philippi Dium Pella Byllis Dyrrhachium. Communities settled veterans became remained Roman citizens. Local inhabitants not expelled but did not receive citizenship new colonies Rome except perhaps some members local elite. Stobi municipium Amphipolis Thessalonica Abdera Maroneia held status free cities Edessa probably allied city.
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Common questions
When did Rome defeat King Perseus and end the Macedonian monarchy?
Roman forces defeated King Perseus at the conclusion of the Third Macedonian War in 168 BC. Following this victory, Rome abolished the Macedonian monarchy and divided the territory into four client republics.
Who made Macedonia a permanent Roman province after defeating Andriscus?
Quintus Caecilius Metellus made Macedonia into Rome's fifth provincia after defeating Andriscus near Pydna in 148 BC. The date of the establishment of the province is autumn 148 BC as indicated by the epoch date of the provincial era.
What was the Via Egnatia and when was it constructed?
Gnaeus Egnatius initiated the construction of the Via Egnatia sometime after 146 BC. This Roman road stretched from Dyrrhachium on the Adriatic coast to Byzantium and provided the main overland link between Rome and its domains in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Which Celtic group became the key enemy of Romans in Macedonia during the first century BC?
The Scordisci largely supplanted the Dardanians as the most powerful group in the central Balkans and invaded Macedonia multiple times starting in 149 BC. They defeated Roman armies commanded by Decimus Junius Silanus Manlianus in 141 BC and Sextus Pompeius in 119 BC.
When did Tiberius convert Macedonia into an imperial province?
Tiberius converted Macedonia and Achaia into imperial provinces in AD 15 following complaints about corruption. Claudius made them both Senatorial provinces once more in AD 44 before portions were handed over to Thrace.