| Page Views: 968 Last Visit to Marseille: August, 1995 | Moscow-Marseilles by Kuznetsov_Sergey - last update: Mar 29, 2007 |
Marseilles - Massalia Massalia – some historical data THE BRONZE AGE (around 2000 BC) - Traces of cave dwellings have been found in the hills around the city, notably at Allauch, Chateau Gombert, etc.
THE IRON AGE (1000 BC) - The hills around Marseilles were covered with forests in which deer and wild boar abounded. Many streams poured down from these hills.
THE GREEK PERIOD (Marseilles founded in 600 BC) - Phocaean (Greek) navigators seeking new territory were attracted to this superb site with its deep harbour inlet (calanque) surrounded by generous and protective hills.
The legend of Protis and Gyptis purports to tell how Marseilles was founded: Protis, leader of a Greek expedition, sought to create friendly ties with Nann, King of the Segobridges, a ligurian tribe in the south east. Legend has it that Nann was preparing a great feast at which his daughter, Gyptis, would choose a husband. The Greek navigators were invited to attend and Gyptis offered a flask of water to Protis, a symbolic gesture which proclaimed her betrothal to him. |
Justin, Roman chronicler of the 2nd century BC reports "Gyptis offered water to Protis who, transformed from guest to son-in-law, received land from his father-in-law to found a city". The ancient city of Massalia was thus born from a legendary love story. The town was built to the north of the harbour, called the Vieux Port, and formed an extremely important trading crossroad between the Rhone valley to the north and Spain to the west. Massalia soon became a rich and important city, itself creating many trading posts on the Cote d'Azur, in Languedoc, Corsica and on the rocky spur of Aries, which would later become an independent city, and which as a Roman garrison town would rival Marseilles. Trade and fishing formed the foundations of the city's wealth, which expanded through the excellence of its Greek navigators. But agriculture also developed and the Ligurians learnt how to care for the olive trees and to prune the vines. Good wine was abundant in Massalia.
3rd and 2nd centuries BC (friendship and allegiance to Rome)
In the midst of a Roman-colonised Gaul, Marseilles remained Greek and independent. However, it did form an allegiance with Rome during the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage.
200 BC - Marseilles sought help from the Romans against the Gauls.
49 BC - Marseilles lost its independence by taking sides with Pompeii against Caesar. The latter laid siege to the town for 6 long months, reducing the population to famine. The defeat of Marseilles marked the start of(its decline to the benefit of Aries which had taken sides with Rome. |
Although trade through Massalia declined, the teachings of its Greek scholars was widely esteemed and for two centuries Marseilles was a centre for studies, catering not only for all of Gaul but also for Rome itself.
IInd century AD - The port becomes inexorably silted up.
End of Vth century (Barbarian invasions)
This period marked the end of the Western Roman Empire. Marseilles and Aries fell under the power of the Wisigoths, as did Provence in general. The invasion of the Wisigoths was followed by the Burgondes, the Ostrogoths and finally the Franks. For 150 years Provence was at once divided and then unified by fratricidal wars. Finally, Provencal territory was divided into two parts of which Aries and Marseilles were the capitals. Marseilles saw its trade and its maritime activity once again prosper and its importance as an administrative centre expand.
VIth Century - Several epidemics of the plague decimated the city's population. In 838, the Saracens pillaged it and left it the United Kingdom of Provence was created. |
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Kuznetsov_Sergey's Marseille Travel Tips
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Tips: 3 - Photos: 7 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path
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 Comments for Kuznetsov_Sergey about Marseille | | | | |
lynnehamman Sun Mar 22, 2009 23:25 UTC
Sergey- your historical knowledge is awesome.Your intelligent tips are so interesting to read, because I am very interested in historical facts about countries. Thanks | jumpingnorman Mon Mar 16, 2009 17:09 UTC
Marseille is definitely on my wishlist! Norman :) | nyperose Sat Sep 13, 2008 07:08 UTC
Great Marseille page! I'am planning to go there in October. | JLBG Mon Jul 21, 2008 07:32 UTC
An excellent page with a lot of good historical tips ! |
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