MACEDONIAN ANCIENT ROOTS

I conquer the world for Macedonians! Alexander The Great

Macedonia existed as an independant state as early as the ancient period. It was located on the territory known by the same name. Ancient Macedonia has bordered with Greece in the south, Epirus in the west, Illyria in the northwest, and Thrace in the east. In the 6-th century Macedonia did not have close contacts with the Greek state and culture. When the social development started, Macedonia became a class society that started uniting its territory divided into separate refions on the basis of political unification Alexander (489-454 B.C.) was the first to unite Macedonia. Archelaus (431-399 B.C) had the task to consolidate the process of centralization by introducing monetary and military refoms. Philip II (359-336 B.C) reorganized the military and annihilated the separatist tendencies. He defeated the Greeks at the battle of Chaeronea (338 B.C) thus delivering a decisive blow to the anti-Macedonian coalition and raising Macedonia among the most powerful states in the Balkans. The successor to Philip II, his son Alexander of Macedon, known also as Alexander The Great (356-323 B.C), had confirmed Macedonia's hegemony over Greece and most of the Balkans. After he had destroyed the powerful state of his southern neighbours, Alexander moved his campaigns further to the east and reached as far as India. Then Macedonia became the centre of an enormous empire which streched over three continents.After his death the Macedonian empire was faced with disintegration. Roman aspirations towards the Balkans resulted in the three Macedonian wars. After these wars Macedonia was conquered and divided into four autonomous refions within the roman province which first had its seat in Thessalonika and then in Stobi.

Today in the 21-th century Macedonia is a historical, administrative, political, economic and above all, cultural reality. Macedonia is centuries old and nobody can deny that. Macedonia as a name extends beyond its state boundaries with its obvious contribution to the overall treasury of human civilization. Macedonia - that unforgettable name evoking images of ancient, great civilizations and exotic adventure - is also a warm and welcoming modern-day republic in the very heart of south-eastern Europe. Macedonia remains one of Europe’s last great undiscovered countries: a natural paradise of mountains, lakes and rivers, where life moves to a different rhythm, amidst the sprawling grandeur of rich historical ruins and idyllic villages that have remained practically unchanged for centuries. Amazing Macedonia