{About|the city in Gaul}

Narbo Martius
Warehouse of Narbo Martius
SpartaN/sandbox7 is located in France
SpartaN/sandbox7
Location within France
SpartaN/sandbox7 is located in Occitanie
SpartaN/sandbox7
SpartaN/sandbox7 (Occitanie)
LocationNarbonne, France
RegionGallia Narbonensis
Coordinates43°11′01″N 3°00′15″E / 43.1836°N 3.0042°E / 43.1836; 3.0042
TypeRoman city
Area90 hectares
History
BuilderGnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus
Founded118 BC
PeriodsRoman Republic to Roman Empire

Narbo Martius (full name: Colonia Julia Paterna Claudia Narbo Martius) is a Roman city founded in the second century BC, now known as Narbonne.

Narbo Martius was the first capital of Gaul before Lugdunum. It was at the center of an important junction facilitating trade between Gaul, Hispania, Italy, and the Mediterranean.

Name

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A Gallic Iron Age town called "Naro" existed at the site of Narbonne since the sixth century BC. It served as a hub for local trade. The Romans established a colonia at Naro in 118 BC, renaming it Colonia Narbo Martius. Martius (Mars) being the Roman god of war. Julia Paterna is appended to the city name by Julius Caesar in 45 BC following the Gallic wars. Julia being the family gens of Caesar and paterna being the paternity of the general over the city. A reference to Claudius is later added in the title of Narbo, giving a full name: Colonia Julia Paterna Claudia Narbo Martius.[1][2]

Geography

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The town dominated the mouth of the Aude.[3]

History

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Architecture

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Economy

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Culture

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References

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  1. ^ Anderson 2013, p. 39
  2. ^ Riess 2016, p. 34
  3. ^ Riess 2016, p. 34

Bibliography

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  • Anderson, James C. (2013), Roman Architecture in Provence, ISBN 9780521825207
  • Riess, Frank (2016), Narbonne and Its Territory in Late Antiquity, ISBN 9781317090700