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In the year of 167
BC was called an assembly in Amphipolis, between
representatives from the Macedonian cities on one, and by Romans on other side,
represented by Pavle Emilius himself. In front of the scared people he mentioned
"Before all the Macedonian will be free, they will have same cities and
territories as before, they will respect Roman laws and choose their
magistrates every year. They will pay taxes half of the sum they were paying
to their kings." But, Emilius mentioned that Macedonia will be
divided on four areas. In the first area were the territories between the
river Struma (Strimon) and Mesta (Nest), were put in some places from east
and the areas that had conquered Philip 5th and Perseius and western of the
river Struma, Bysaltia and Heraklea Lynkestis. Capital of the first area was
Amphipolis. In the second area were the regions between the river Struma
(Strimon) and Vardar (Axios) and a part of Paionia eastern of Vardar, with
Salonica as capital. The third area was of the regions between the rivers
Vardrar and Peneius, a part of Paionia and capital Pella. In the fourth area
were the regions of Up Macedonia where lived the Eordaians, Lynkestists and
the Pelagonians, which had areas of Illyria, like Antipatia, Tymphaia,
Paraveia, and pa part of Paionia. Capital of this fourth area of Macedonia
was Pelagonia. This four areas "meridi" represented four
autonomous republics which had no political and economical relationships. Main
administrative units were the city municipalities (civitates) and in every
republic the assembly (synedrion). The merchant connections with the other
areas, stealing of gold and silver, marriages between people from different
areas were foreign.
The Romans on
purpose divided Macedonia (same as Paionia) so they can destroy the
political and economic rule of the Macedonians in the country. Coins were
made all over the Macedonian territory, but now Roman. A lot of towns got
bigger and became important stops, like Stobi, Heraklea Lynkestis, Pella,
Amphipolis. |
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