The city was named after King Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, in 356 BC .It includes ruins of Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and early Christian period. Some of the most characteristic are the Octagon, the Roman forum, the palaiochristian royals, the parts of the city walls and opposite the ancient theater of Philippi. In the Archaeological Museum of Philippi are presented findings from the excavations of the ancient city.