Page 46 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Provence & The Côte d'Azur

44  introducing provence

Gallo-Roman Provence

the romans extended their empire into provence towards
the end of the 2nd century Bc. they enjoyed good relations
with the local people and within 100 years created a wealthy
province. nîmes and Arles became two of the most significant
roman towns outside italy; colonies at the Site Archéologique
de glanum and vaison-la-vaison-la-v romaine flourished. Many fine
monuments remain and museums, for instance at vaison-la-vaison-la-v Pont Julien (3 BC)
romaine, display smaller roman treasures. This magnificently preserved
christ’s followers are reputed to have brought christianity triple-arched bridge stands
to the region when they landed at Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la- 8 km (5 miles) west of Apt.
Mer in Ad 40.
Two temples, dedicated to
the emperor Augustus and his
adopted sons, Caius and Lucius,
date from 20 BC.

Marble Sarcophagus (4th century)
The Alyscamps in Arles (see p150), once
a vast Roman necropolis, contains many
carved marble and stone coffins.

Triumphal Arch at Orange
Built in about 20 BC this is, in spite
of much crude restoration, one of Roman Glanum
the best preserved Roman triumphal The fortified gate is
arches. Carvings depict the conquest thought to have been The impressive ruined site at Glanum
of Gaul and sea battle scenes. built by Greeks, who reveals much earlier Roman and Greek
occupied Glanum from settlements. This reconstruction shows
the 4th century BC. it after it was rebuilt in AD 49 (see p145).

118 BC Provincia founded –
first Gallo-Roman Province 49 BC Emperor Julius Caesar lays siege to Marseille for
supporting his rival, Pompey. Romans rebuild Glanum
125 BC Roman legions
defend Marseille against 40 BC Vaison-la-Romaine ranks among 2nd-century BC
Celto-Ligurian invaders Consul Marius Roman Gaul’s wealthiest towns Venus d’Arles
100 BC AD 1 100
123 BC Romans make 102 BC Consul Marius 3 BC Pont Julien built AD 40 “Boat of Bethany” lands
Entremont first defeats invading German at Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Provençal settlement tribes; over 200,000 killed
14 BC Emperor Augustus defeats Ligurians
in Alpes Maritimes. Trophy at La Turbie erected (see p93)
121 BC Foundation of Aquae Sextiae, later to become Aix-en-Provence