Samarobriua

Samarobriua is the name of the town of Amiens at the time Gallo-Roman.

History

Before the arrival of the Roman , the area is occupied by Gallic people: the Ambiani. One knows very few things on the Gallic city because of the little of excavations carried out.

As of their arrival as a Gaulle, the Romans recognize the strategic nature of the city. Its Latin name in is Samarobriva, which means in Gaulois “Bridge ( briva ) on the Sum ( Samara )”. In his work De Bello Gallico ( the war of Gaules ), Jules César remained in Samarobriva of the autumn -54 in spring -53. It convened there twice a Concilium Galliae.

The city develops with whereas the Roman Empereur Claude Ier decides to conquer the Brittany (current Great Britain). The construction of new roads in Gaulle Belgium and the favorable situation of Samarobriva on the Sum reinforce the importance of the city. Samarobriva becomes a point of passage of the Roman axis Lyon-Boulogne and the principal road junction of Gaulle of north.

One built there:

vast a forum (320 m X 125 m, current hotel-of-city with the current law courts);
of the Roman Thermal baths (currently street of Beauvais, vis-a-vis the St-Germain church);
a Amphitheater of 15.000 places (today with the site of the hotel-of-city).

The plan of the city Orthogonal east , streets cutting itself to right angle to form Insula E.

In 287, Saint Firmin becomes the first bishop of Amiens, and preaches Christianity in the city. He is decapitated on September 25th 303.

During the winter 338 - 339, holy Martin, then Roman soldier in garrison in Amiens, divides its coat with poor (a plate commemorates this event on the northern wall of the current law courts).

At the Lower Empire (4th century), the amphitheater is transformed into fortress: Castillon. The surface of the enclosure is of approximately 20 hectares, which makes of Amiens the largest fortress of the north of Gaulle.

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