Neapolis (Kavalla)
Neapolis was built on a natural harbor, 10 miles from Philippi. Luke recorded the route of Paul’s journey from Asia Minor to Europe:
And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. (Acts 16:10-11)
Neapolis was just inside the border between the Roman province of Macedonia and Thrace. The modern name, Kavalla, is a derivative of the Latin word caballo meaning “horse.” The Ottoman name for Kavalla was Cavallo, which was a station in the postal service of the Ottoman Empire. In Paul’s day, Neapolis was a terminus of the Via Egnatia, an important Roman highway through Macedonia.
Philip II of Macedonia (father of Alexander the Great) took Neapolis as the seaport for Krenides. He conquered Krenides, rebuilt it, and renamed it Philippi in his son’s honor.
In 42
B
.
C
., the unsuccessful Brutus and Cassius used theharbor of Neapolis in their battle with Octavian and Antony. Philippi was only 10 miles to the northwest. Brutus and Cassius anchored their ships at Neapolis (a distance of 70 stadia), while they camped at Philippi.
Latin inscriptions show that the port was dependent on Philippi and that some of Philippi’s leading citizens resided in Neapolis during the Roman period.
The aqueduct of Kavalla that Süleyman the Magnificent built in the 16th century is after the Roman model.
Bible Study (Neapolis)
Acts 16:11-12.
Neapolis was the harbor of Philippi. Paul landed here after sailing from Troas on the coast of Asia Minor.
Acts 16:11
11:
Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
Acts 20:6
6:
And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.