Heraclea Lyncestis
Хераклеја Линкестис / Ἡράκλεια Λυγκηστίς / Ἡράκλεια Λύγκου | |
The Byzantine "small basilica" at Heraclea Lyncestis | |
| Alternative name | Herakleia Lynkestis |
|---|---|
| Location | Bitola, Pelagonia Statistical Region, North Macedonia |
| Region | Lynkestis |
| Coordinates | 41°00′39″N 21°20′33″E / 41.01083°N 21.34250°E |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Builder | Philip II of Macedon |
| Founded | Middle of the 4th century BC |
| Periods | Hellenistic to Byzantine |
| Cultures | Ancient Greek, Roman |
Heraclea Lyncestis, also transliterated Herakleia Lynkestis (Ancient Greek: Ἡράκλεια Λυγκηστίς; Latin: Heraclea Lyncestis; Macedonian: Хераклеја Линкестис), was an ancient Greek city in Macedon, ruled later by the Romans. Its ruins are situated 2 km (1.2 mi) south of the present-day town of Bitola, North Macedonia. In the early Christian period, Heraclea was an important Episcopal seat and a waypoint on the Via Egnatia that once linked Byzantium with Rome through the Adriatic seaport of Dyrrachium. Some of its bishops are mentioned in synods in Serdica and other nearby towns. The city was gradually abandoned in the 6th century AD following an earthquake and Slavic invasions.