Heraclea Lyncestis

Heraclea Lyncestis also spelled Herakleia Lynkestis, (Greek: Ἡράκλεια Λυγκηστίς) was an ancient Greek[1][2] city in the north-western region of the ancient kingdom of Macedon. The time of the foundation of the town and its founder are argued, but most of the historians agree that it was founded by the ancient Greek[3] ruler Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century BC in Lynkestis, after its conquest, rather than by Philip V of Macedon in 2nd century BC. The town was named in honor of the mythological Greek hero Heracles. The epithet Lyncestis means "the Land of the Lynx" in Greek. During the Roman period it got the name Heraclea Lyncestis in Latin, from which the English name is derived.
Today its ruins fall within the borders of the Republic of Macedonia, 2 km south of the modern town of Bitola (formerly Monastir)[4] . It is in charge of the local institution "Museum and Gallery of Bitola".
It was an important strategical town during the Hellenistic period as it was at the edge of Macedon's border with Epirus to the west, and to the non-Greek world to the north, until the middle of the 2nd century BC, when the Romans conquered Macedon and destroyed its political power. The Romans divided Macedonia into 4 regions and Heraclea was in the fourth region. The main Roman road in the area, Via Egnatia went through Heraclea, and Heraclea was an important stop. The prosperity of the city was maintained mainly due to this road. Objects discovered from the time of Roman rule in Heraclea are: Votive monuments, a portico, thermae (baths), an amphitheatre and town walls. In the early Christian period, Heraclea was an important Episcopal seat. Some of its bishops are mentioned in synods in Serdica and other nearby towns. From this period are the ensembles of the Small and Great (Large, Big) basilica. The Grave (Funeral) basilica with a necropolis is located east of the theatre.