Commerce also flourishes thanks to the safety within the city, well protected by the thick walls running along the three hills that surround it. Begun by Philip II of Macedonia, the fortifications have recently been strengthened following the orders of the good Emperor Trajan. The three peaks also offer natural defences to the city: the forum, the centre of Roman city life, is in the plain between the three hills (later known as Taxim, Nebet, and Jambaz Tepe). The ever-practical Romans, impressed by the favorable location, promptly renamed the city into Trimontium, or the city of the three peaks, a much less imperialistic name than the former "Philipopolis" given by Philip II of Macedonia.
Of course Trimontium has thrived before and prided itself of almost 4,000 years of history - older than Rome itself! - before the Roman annexion. But never has it been so wealthy than under the rule of the beloved Emperor Trajan in this beginning of the second century. Not content to enjoy the beauty of the Roman city with its temples and active cultural life, Trimontium citizens will soon enjoy the splendors of two great additions to their city: a stadium and a theater.
