Heraclea Lyncestis

Heraclea Lyncestis, also transliterated Herakleia Lynkestis, was an ancient Greek city in Macedon, ruled later by the Romans [1]. Its ruins are situated 2 km south of the present-day town of Bitola, North Macedonia [1]. The city was gradually abandoned in the 6th century AD following an earthquake and Slavic invasions [1]. Objects discovered from the time of Roman rule in Heraclea are votive monuments, a portico, thermae (baths), a theatre and town walls [1]. The Roman emperor Hadrian built a theatre in the center of the town, on a hill [1]. In the early Byzantine period (4th to 6th centuries AD) Heraclea was an important episcopal centre [1]. A small and a great basilica, the bishop's residence, and a funerary basilica and the necropolis are some of the remains of this period [1]. Three naves in the Great Basilica are covered with mosaics of very rich floral and figurative iconography; these well preserved mosaics are often regarded as fine examples of the early Christian art period [1].