Samothracia, &c.— An island in the AEgean sea, near the Hellespont: Neapolis was a city of Macedonia. Sailing from thence up the river Strymon, they came to Philippi, which was a city or town of the first division of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. It had more anciently gone by the name of Crenides, probably from the springs or fountains which arose there. It had afterwards the name of Datus, because of the gold mines which were near it; and, lastly, it was called Philippi, from Philip king of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, who very much improved the town, and increased the number of its inhabitants. St. Luke calls it a colony: and, as he makes use of the Latin word κολωνια, instead of the usual Greek term αποικια, it is most likely he designed to intimate, that it was made a colony by the Romans; which is further confirmed in Acts 16:21 where he represents the Philippians as calling themselves Romans. From some ancient coins and inscriptions it appears, that a colony was planted there by Julius Caesar, and afterwards much augmented by Augustus. Livy informs us, (lib. 45. ch. 29.) that Paulus AEmilius, who conquered Macedonia, and brought it into subjection to the Romans, ordered it to be divided into four parts or regions; and that one of these, and the first part, was all that lay between the rivers Strymon and Nessus. In that first part, and between those two rivers, stood Philippi.
Related Commentaries of Acts 16:11
Acts 16:11-12
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chiefa city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.