Stobi - most important ancient remains on the highway

Stobi was an ancient town of Paeonia, later conquered by Macedon, and later turned into the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris (now near Gradsko in the Republic of Macedonia). It is located on the main road that leads from the Danube to the Aegean Sea and is considered by many to be the most famous archaeological site in the Republic of Macedonia. Stobi was built where the Erigón River (mod. Crna) joins the Axiós River (mod. Vardar), making it strategically important as a centre for both trade and warfare.

Philip II conquered Paionia around 350 BC. BC and incorporated the country into his empire. However, this was a limited dependency, as there were still Paion kings in Stobi who ruled as Philip's governors. In the 4th and 3rd centuries, the population of Stobi was already largely Hellenized.

After the Roman victory over Macedonia in 167 BC. BC was 148 BC. The Roman province of Macedonia was formed in the 1st century BC, to which Stobi belonged. The city played no role in the administrative organization of the Romans. However, several Roman roads, branches of the Via Egnatia and the Via Militaris, intersected in the city.