Ancient capital, Macedonia .
Located in northern Greece, northwest of Thessaloníki , the city flourished at the end of the 5th century BC. Originally known as Bounomos, it developed rapidly under Philip II , but, after the Romans defeated the last Macedonian king, it became a small provincial town. Archaeological excavations began in 1957 and revealed large, well-built houses with rooms with mosaic floors dating from the late 4th century BC. Pella was the birthplace of Alexander the Great .