Brief Historical Overview: According to historians, it was Kassandros, one of the Descendants of Alexander the Great, who founded the city in 315 B.C. The city was named after his wife, Thessaloniki, the stepsister of Alexander the Great and a daughter of Filippos B’ after his second marriage to the Princess of Thessaly, Nikisipoli. 

The name comes from the combination of two names Thessalon and Niki, to commemorate the victory of the Macedonian and Thessalon army, over the alliance of Res and Fokees, during the 3rd Holy War. 

Stravon and Stephan of Byzantine, provide testimony on the city foundation, where it is stated that Kassandros, a usurper of the Macedonian Kingdom, has founded the city, on a central axis around the ancient town of Thermi, after the residents of 26 sea villages were driven away. 

In 168 BC, following the occupation of the Kingdom of Antigonidon, the city becomes a part of the Roman Empire. 

In the first years of occupation, the city is the capital in one of the four regions, in which the Greek State was partitioned and it was covering the area from Strymonas, to Axios.

As the uprising of Andriskos fails to dominate the political scene, the following administration change establishes Makedonia as one of the roman prefectures (Provincia Macedonia) 

Following the construction of Egmatia Odos (Via egnatia), between 146-120 BC, using to connect Adriatica Sea with Ellispontos and Minor Asia, Thesaaloniki becomes the city-hub in a greater area, being a serious player in the commercial activity. The city provided support to the movement of army till the second half of the 2nd century. 

Read more: Brief Historical Overview