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Narbonensis's District of
Massilia
Ceann mor:
Position is currently vacant
A small but thriving Greek trading post in the western Mediterranean, Massala grew into the second largest city in modern France. Along the way, the territory was controlled by Ligurians, Celts, Greeks, Romans, and was almost taken by the Sarissens.
 MASSILIA (Roman) MARSEILLE (Modern French) For much of the first millennium BC, MASSALIA was a small but thriving port in the northwestern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Up to about 1000 BC, the lower Rhone valley was inhabited by the ancient Ligurians, the Cimbri. Westward-migrating Celts, the Cavares, the Méminiens and the Voconces, settled in the lush valley and intermingled with the Cimbri to form a group known as the Celto-Ligurians. The Cavares eventually became the dominant tribe in the area. Some time around the sixth or fifth century BC, Ionian Greeks from Phocaea began setting up trading posts along the coast of Gaul. They were seeking to break the Phoenician stranglehold on maritime trade. For nearly five centuries, they traded profitably with the Cavares and other tribes, gradually expanding both east and west along the coast, and northward up the Rhone valley. Tin, copper, salt, animal pelts and other raw materials, as well as iron weapons and tools were exchanged for Greek wine, and other luxury items. Amber from the Baltic coast, was also in great demand. Gradually, the port grew into a city, with many fine buildings and a small temple (to Apollo). The old city of Massalia covered an area of about 125 acres, all contained within protective ramparts. In the latter part of the second century BCE, trade wars between the Etruscans and the Greeks had escalated to the point where Massalia called upon the growing strength of Rome for protection against the Gallic tribes. The Etruscans had stirred up these Barbarian Celts, using them to block the Greek trade routes along the Rhone and threaten the city, itself. In 124 BCE, Massalia became an allied city of the Roman Empire. They retained their freedom and prospered, until they chose to support the wrong side in the power struggle between Pompey and Julius Caesar. The city was destroyed by Caesar and his armies, but was rebuilt after the war. Massalia was stripped of its lands and powers, and became a quiet corner in the growing Empire. A number of fine schools were built for the study of philosophy and medicine, and Massalia (now Roman Massilia) became a seat of learning. Julius Agricola, who later became consul of Britain, was educated in these schools. One of the most famous citizens of Massalia was a mariner and navigator named Pythias. In the fourth century BCE, he took a small fleet of ships through the Pillars of Hercules and up the Iberian coast. He kept careful notes of his voyage and, upon his return, wrote a book called On the Ocean. Sadly, the original has been lost in time. However, fragments of his work were incorporated in the writings of others. From these bits and pieces, some scholars have deduced that Pythias quite likely explored the shores of the British Isles and may have even reached either Iceland or the coast of Norway. Further to the north, he was turned back by "the congealed sea", suggesting that Pythias was the first Greek to see the frozen arctic ocean. As with most ancient cities, Massalia has its own founding myth. As Aristotle tells the tale, Nannus was the chief of the local tribe, and he had a daughter of marriageable age, whose name was Petta. The custom, in those days, was to hold a feast and invite all the potential suitors. The bride-to-be would enter the hall, bearing a cup of mixed wine and water, which she would then present to the suitor of her choice. As it happened on this occasion, Nannus had befriended one of the newly-landed Phocaeans, one Euxenus by name. Petta carried the cup straight to Euxenus and her father, presuming she had been directed by the will of the Gods, consented to the marriage. Euxenus gave her the Greek name of Aristoxena, they were duly married, and had had a son whom they called Protis. He founded the family of Protiadae which, up to Aristotle’s time (mid fourth century, BCE) was one of the leading families of the city. Another gift of the Greeks was the art of viniculture. Most authorities believe that wine was already produced in the area of southern Gaul, before the coming of the Greeks. If this is so, it was likely made from wild grapes and was rather thin and sour. The Greeks brought the hearty vines from their homeland, which produce a fruit which is both flavorful and rich in sugar. The natives adapted to the cultivation of the grape and it is the descendants of these vines which give the wines of the area their fine taste. Sources: Provence Beyond Massalia The Greek Colony of Massilia The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854) (ed. William Smith, LLD) Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898) Map, graphics and Text by MacMorna Niafer Guide to Celtia
The Discussions of Massilia:
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