Greek and Roman Time

The city was founded 315 b.C. by Alexander the Great’s brother-in-law. The Makedonian king Kassandros was married to Alexander’s halfsister Thessalonike, after whom he named the new town.

Six-hundred years later, during the Roman Empire, it was Emperor Galerius who gave a special honour to the city, making it one of his residences.

Already by this time, Thessaloniki enjoyed strategical advantages: it was located at the Via Egnatia, a trade route connecting Rome to Byzantium.