On the base of the historical and literature sources, the city was first mentioned in the year 197 BC (Livius XXXIII, 19, 3). However, the recent research, due to the recorded archaeological material, places the oldest beginnings of the settlement on this place, in the VII and VI centuries BC. The ubication of the ancient city of Stobi on the flow of the Crna River (ancient Erigon) into the Vardar River (ancient Axius) has been done since the end of the XIX century. According to the archaeological research the city was built in the Hellenistic period, not much before the rule of the king Philip V. With the research, below of the couple of buildings in the central area of the latest city, stratums from the III and II centuries BC are recorded. In addition, different bronze objects from the classical and archaic period were found, as well as pottery from the neolithical period and the Iron Age. The oldest settlement is located in the Northern part of the city.

 

In the 168 BC with the victory of the Romans over the Macedonian king Perseus, Macedonia was divided into four regions, keeping certain independence. At that time, Stobi became one of the major centers of the third region. The spreading of the city is connected with its promotion in the status of municipium in 69 AD. At that time the coinage with the inscription Municipium Stobensium began. The early and the middle Roman period is time of the flourish of Stobi. Several of the inscriptions are proving this presupposition. About the prosperity of the city testifies the big palace not far from the Eastern side of the city wall, in which remarkable relief stuccos and frescos were discovered.The most impressive monument from the Roman period is the theatre, built in the II and III centuries AD. One of the most important parts of the theatre is the sanctuary of the godess Nemesis. In the theatre is also found a sculpture of the Emperor Hadrian. It is certain that other sanctuaries existed in the city, because there are data that in Stobi Higiea and Telefor, Artemis Lohia, Apollo Clarios, Jupiter, Dionysus and Hera were worshiped.

 

In the early Christian period, Stobi was very influencive and important city. It was Episcopal center since the year 325 AD, when bishop Budius participated at the council in Nicea. There are not too many cities in the late antique period which have so many sacral cult buildings, as it is case with Stobi. In the course of the IV and V centuries AD in Stobi were built many churches that were great buildings by its architecture and the interior decoration. Stobi in the late IV century AD was raised in the range of diocese of an archbishop which had three eparchies: Stobi, Bargala and Zapara. With the division of Macedonia, Stobi became a major city of Macedonia Salutaris. The Emperor Teodosius I, during his stay in Stobi in 388 year AD, issued two edicts in which the gathering of the heretics and public discussion about the faith was forbidden (Codex Teodosianus 16, 4, 2, 5 ,15).

 

The major buildings in Stobi