Stobi (mod. Gradsko) was an ancient town of Paionia, later conquered by Macedon, and later still incorporated into the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris (now in the Republic of Macedonia). It is located on the main road that leads from the Danube to the Aegean Sea and is considered by many to be the most famous archaeological site in the Republic of Macedonia. Stobi was built where the Erigón river (mod. River Crna) joins the Axiós river (mod. Vardar), making it important strategically as a center for both trade and warfare.

 The pre-Roman period

Stobi developed from a Paeonian settlement established in the Archaic period. Located on the northern side of a terrace, the early town covered an area of about 25,000 square meters. Its proximity to the junction of the Erigón and Axiós rivers and its position in the fertile central Vardar valley allowed it to quickly develop a flourishing economy and establish trade. Nearby Mount Klepa was a lucrative source of marble. The initial Paeonian population was later supplemented by other immigrant groups.

In earlier times, Bylazora was the Paeonian capital, but later the Paeonians moved their capital to Stobi. Stobi along with the rest of Paeonia was conquered by the kingdom of Macedon.

 The Roman period

In 168 BC, the Romans defeated Perseus and Macedonia was divided into four nominally independent republics. In 148 BC the four areas of Macedonia were brought together in a unified Roman province. The town was first mentioned in 197 BC by Livius. In the reign of Augustus (31 BC-14 AD) the town grew in size and population. The town grew in 69 AD once it became a municipium and coins, with Municipium Stobensium printed on them, were distributed. The citizens of Stobi enjoyed Ius Italicum and were citizens of Rome. Most belonged to the tribes Aemila and Tromentina. During Roman times Stobi was the capital of the Roman province Macedonia Salutaris. Emperor Theodosius I stayed in Stobi in 388. Late in the 5th century the town underwent a terrible turn of events. In 479 AD, it was robbed by Theodoric, an Ostrogothic king. The citizens reconstructed the town, but in 518 AD was struck by a powerful earthquake. Avaro-Slavic invasions in the 6th century ruined the city's economy and infrastructure.