EDESSA, a later name of the ancient Edessa, the capital of Macedonia, was situated in the very centre of that kingdom, at the head of a defile commanding the approaches from the sea-coast to the interior of the country. Its lofty and commanding position, and the magnificent surrounding scenery, combined with its historical interest, caused it to be regarded by the Macedonians with peculiar veneration, more especially as from it sprang the dynasty of their kings. Even after the seat of government was removed to the more accessible Pella, Edessa continued to be the burial-place of the royal family. It was at this town that Philip fell by the hand of his murderer Pausanias; and
it was originally intended that the remains of the great Alexander should here repose beside the ashes of his ancestors, though the scheming Ptolemy contrived that they should be interred at Memphis. When Pyrrhus and his Epirotes overran the country, they opened the tombs of the Macedonian kings, in the vain hope of bringing to light some buried treasures of great value. The site of Edessa is occupied by the modern Vodhena, where a few unimportant remains of the ancient town may still be seen.