neapolis Summary and Overview

new city, a town in Thrace at which Paul first landed in Europe (Acts 16:11). It was the sea-port of the inland town of Philippi, which was distant about 10 miles. From this port Paul embarked on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:6). It is identified with the modern Turco-Grecian Kavalla.

NEAP'OLIS (new city), a place in Northern Greece where Paul first landed in Europe, and where he probably landed on his second visit. Acts 16:11; 20:1, and whence he embarked on his last journey to Jerusalem. Acts 20:6. It was on a rocky eminence, the most conspicuous object being a temple of Diana, which crowned the top of the hill. The great Roman road Via Egnatia, from Macedonia to Thrace, passed through Neapolis, which was 8 or 10 miles from Philippi. It is now a Turko-Grecian town of 5000 or 6000 population, and called Kavalla; it has numerous ruins. Another site has been proposed (Eski) for Neapolis, but the arguments for it are unsatisfactory. The Roman name of Shechem was also Neapolis, but it is not so named in Scripture.

1. In Macedonia, the port of Philippi, ten miles off, where first in Europe Paul landed (Acts 16:11). The Turkish Kavalla. The mountains, including Mount Symbolum, form a noble background. Among the remains are those of Roman work in the substructions of a massive aqueduct, built on two tiers of arches, and carrying water from twelve miles' distance along the sides of Symbolum over the valley between the promontory and the mainland into Kavalla. The harbour has good anchorage. Dion Cassius (Hist. Romans 47:35) mentions Neapolis as opposite Thasos, which is the position of Kavalla. 2. Equates to Shechem in Old Testament, Sychar in New Testament Now Nablus, corrupted from Neapolis.