Pella in Macedonia, 235-238 AD., Maximus Caesar, AE 25, AMNG - .

Pella in Macedonia, Maximus Caesar, AE 25, 235-238 AD.
Obv.: C IVL VER MAXIMVS CAES , drap., cuir. bust r., seen from behind.
Rev.: COL IVL A - VC - PELLA , Pan seated on a rock, right raised hand over his head, and with left elbow resting on the rock, left hand holding Pedum. Syrinx (his whistle) in front of him.
Moushmov 6487 ; AMNG III - .

The word Pella is a form of the Doric Greek word Apella, originally meaning a ceremonial location were decisions were made. Pella was the palace-capital of ancient Macedon since the times of Archelaus I of Macedon (413–399 BC) founded by Archelaus I specifically to become the capital of his kingdom. Later Pella was the seat of Philip II of Macedon and of his son Alexander (the Great). The city was organized and expanded during the reign of Philip II and Cassander and flourished in the middle of the 4th and during the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC.
In 168 BC Pella was sacked by the Romans, and its treasury was transported to Rome. The remains were finally destroyed by an earthquake (possibly in the first decade of the 1st century BC) and Pella eventually was rebuilt over its ruins.
Colonia Iulia Pella was refounded either by Marcus Antonius or Octavian about 40-30 BC.
By 180 AD Lucian could describe it in passing as "now insignificant, with very few inhabitants".
During Byzantine and Ottoman years, the city was known in Greek as Άγιοι Απόστολοι (Ayii Apostoli), rendered in Slavic as Постол (Postol), until it reverted to its ancient name in 1936 (today: ca. 2200 inhabitants, situated in northern Greece).