Roman_Macedonia Macedonia_(region)

early roman macedonia (illustrated here encompassing paeonia & south illyria) , environs, droysens historical atlas, 1886



the late roman diocese of macedonia, including provinces of macedonia prima, macedonia secunda or salutaris (periodically abolished), thessalia, epirus vetus, epirus nova, achaea, , crete.

macedonian sovereignty in region brought end @ hands of rising power of rome in 2nd century bc. philip v of macedon took kingdom war against romans in 2 wars during reign (221-179 bc). first macedonian war (215-205 bc) successful macedonians philip decisively defeated in second macedonian war in (200-197 bc). although survived war rome, successor perseus of macedon (reigned 179-168 bc) did not; having taken macedon third macedonian war in (171-168 bc), lost kingdom when defeated. macedonia divided 4 republics subject rome before being annexed in 146 bc roman province. around time, vulgar latin introduced in balkans latin-speaking colonists , military personnel.

with division of roman empire west , east in 298 ad, macedonia came under rule of rome s byzantine successors. population of entire region was, however, depleted destructive invasions of various gothic , hun tribes c. 300 – 5th century ad. despite this, other parts of byzantine empire continued flourish, in particular coastal cities such thessaloniki became important trade , cultural centres. despite empire s power, beginning of 6th century byzantine dominions subject frequent raids various slavic tribes which, in course of centuries, resulted in drastic demographic , cultural changes in empire s balkan provinces. although traditional scholarship attributes these changes large-scale colonizations slavic-speaking groups, has been proposed generalized dissipation of roman identity might have commenced in 3rd century, among rural provincials crippled harsh taxation , famines. given background, penetrations carried successive waves of relatively small numbers of slavic warriors , families might have been capable of assimilating large numbers of indigenes cultural model, seen more attractive alternative. in way , in course of time, great parts of macedonia came controlled slavic-speaking communities. despite numerous attacks on thessaloniki, city held out, , byzantine-roman culture continued flourish, although slavic cultural influence steadily increased.

the slavic settlements organized along tribal , territorially based lines referred byzantine greek historians sklaviniai . sklaviniai continued intermittently assault byzantine empire, either independently, or aided bulgar or avar contingents. around 680 ad bulgar group (which largely composed of descendants of former roman christians taken captive avars), led khan kuber (theorized have belonged same clan danubian bulgarian khan asparukh), settled in pelagonian plain, , launched campaigns region of thessaloniki. when empire spare imperial troops, attempted regain control of lost balkan territories. time of constans ii significant number of slavs of macedonia captured , transferred central asia minor forced recognize authority of byzantine emperor , serve in ranks. in late 7th century, justinian ii again organized massive expedition against sklaviniai , bulgars of macedonia. launching constantinople, subdued many slavic tribes , established theme of thrace in hinterland of great city, , pushed on thessaloniki. however, on return ambushed slavo-bulgars of kuber, losing great part of army, booty, , subsequently throne. despite these temporary successes, rule in region far stable since not of sklaviniae pacified, , rebelled. emperors rather resorted withdrawing defensive line south along aegean coast, until late 8th century. although new theme—that of macedonia —was subsequently created, did not correspond today s geographic territory, 1 farther east (centred on adrianople), carved out of existing thracian , helladic themes.