Philippopolis started as Thracian settlement Eumolpia in 2nd-1st millennium BC. Built by Bessi tribe on seven hills. Conquered by Philip II of Macedon in 342 BC. Destroyed by Celts in 270s BC. Seized by Romans in 72 BC then fully incorporated in AD 46. Named largest and most beautiful city by Lucian. Had 100,000 population in Roman period. Became Thrace provincial capital in early 3rd century. Sacked by Goths in 250 AD killing or capturing 100,000. Destroyed again by Huns in 441-442 and Goths in 471. Conquered by Bulgars in 863. Third largest Byzantine city after Constantinople and Thessalonica. Featured Hippodamian street grid from Hellenistic era. Roman era added stadium, theatre, forum, odeon, aqueducts supplying 43,000 m3 water daily. Walls built in 4th century BC, expanded in 172 AD. Great Basilica built in late Roman period. Excavations reveal three levels: Hellenistic, Roman, Late Roman.