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