Lutece

Lutèce ( Lutetia or Lutetia Parisiorum in Latin) is the name given by the Romains to the known Gallic city today under the name of Paris and to its Oppidum. Lutetia means mud , but also wolf . By convention, one names " Paris préhistorique" then " Paris antique" the site until the Battle of Lutèce in 52 before J. - C., marking the Roman conquest. Towards 300, Lutèce takes the name of Paris, by an abbreviation of the Latin words “ civitas Parisiorum ” or “ urbs Parisiorum ” of the name of the Gallic people which occupy the site since IIIe century before J. - C.: the Parisii.

The recent archaeological discoveries strongly compromise the traditional localization of Lutèce: the discovery of a broad proto-urban space of urbanization (15 hectares) on the current territory of Nanterre in the Hauts-de-Seine calls into question the part played by the island of the City before the arrival of the Romans.

Town planning

After the conquest, the Romans arranged a rectilinear roadway system on banks of the Seine: the streets Saint-Denis, Saint Martin's day and the Rue Saint-Jacob still follow the Roman layout. In the same way, the Cardo maximus of the Gallo-Roman city of Lutèce is found today in the layout of the streets which led to Orleans: street Saint-Jacob, street of the Suburb-Saint-Jacques and Rue of Falls-Issoire.

Public monuments

The Arenas of Lutèce

The Arènes of Lutèce built at the 1st century were in fact a Roman Amphithéâtre . It was about a hybrid complex: of amphitheater type (in half-circle, also called Cavea ) with a 40 meters length frontal scene, it laid out nevertheless of an elliptic arena 52 meters length on 46 meters broad, intended for the combat of gladiators.

(See Arenas of Lutèce )

The theater

Lutèce was also equipped with a theater. One put at the day of the curved walls in 1861 under the Saint-Louis College. According to the reconstitutions, this building measured 72 meters out of at least 47. The scene measured 40 meters.

Thermal baths

Lutèce included/understood also several Roman Thermes, of which most important were those of north (Musée of Cluny today). Their construction was partly financed by the Naute S (IIe/IIIe centuries). The Pilier of Nautes put at the day in 1710 under the foundations of Notre-Dame is consisted five blocks of carved stone. They date from the reign of Tibère (14-37) and are rich information on the Gallo-Roman syncretism as of the first years of Ier century.

Other monuments

Lutèce did not have circus (hippodrome dedicated to the races of tanks). The archaeological excavations are clear on this subject. On the other hand, some literary sources (Gregoire de Tours, in particular) make think that there could be provisional installations in order to allow the behavior of races of tanks.

Chronology

  • May 52 av. J. - C. Battle of Lutèce. Victoire of Labienus, lieutenant of Jules César, on the Sénons and the Parisii. The latter have occupied the site for several centuries. The Gallic ones prefer to destroy the bridges and to set fire to themselves rather their city than to let there enter the Romans. The fire of the Gallic Lutèce will make it possible to the Romans to quickly equip the town of a Roman structure, the more so as with seven hills and a river, it parallel with Rome is easy.
  • Between 14 and 37. The Nautes de Lutèce raise a column in the Jupiter honor: it is famous “the Pilier of Nautes” put at the day under the foundations of Notre-Dame.
  • Between 50 and 100 a. J. - C. Construction of the Forum of Lutèce.
  • 65 - 66. icy winter.
  • Between 100 and 200. Construction with Lutèce of three thermal baths supplied with an aqueduct of 16 kilometers skirting the Beaver, of an amphitheater of 17  000 places and of a theater of 3  000 places, in particular.
  • Towards 250. Martyrdom of the first bishop of Lutèce, holy Denis. This last was one of the seven bishops sent in Gaulle for the évangéliser. Recorded successes caused the hatred of pagan which made it decapitate on the hill of Montmartre. The legend specifies that holy Denis then took his head in his hands; it is the most traditional representation of future patron saint of the France.
  • 275 or 276. Probable confusion by German invaders of left bank of the city.
  • 291 - 292. Particularly icy winter. The Seine freezes; it is the first mention of this type which arrived to us.
  • Towards 300. Lutèce becomes Paris .

Gallery

Sites and vestiges of ancient Paris
Random links:List flags of Switzerland I | Jean Dupuis | DS-Malterre | Billy Ze Kick and Kids in Madness | Route main road 248