Massalia

Massilia (Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône)

A port on the southern Mediterranean coast of Transalpine Gaul in the Gallic Gulf (Golfe du Lion). Massalia was founded c 600 BC by colonists from Phocaea (Foca) in Ionia (western Asia Minor), travelling in flotillas of fifty-oared ships (there is also some evidence for transient earlier, Rhodian, business men in the region). On a small steep limestone peninsula, beside a sheltered basin, the Phocaeans settled on three low hills—within a perimeter of only a mile and a half—presiding over a small plain and over the excellent harbor of Lacydon (Vieux Port). Protected by a marsh, flanked by streams, and situated forty miles from the mouth of the Rhodanus (Rhône)—far enough to escape its silt—the site was obtained from King Nannus, of the Ligurian tribe of the Segobriges, whose daughter Gyptis married the Greek colonists' leader Phocis.

Throughout the sixth century the Massalians gradually received increasing imports from Ionia and other regions of eastern Greece. Before long they also began to penetrate the interior of Gaul by taking over the traffic that passed north beside the Rhône (itself not easily navigable above the delta). Thus, in exchange for grain, amber and tin, Greek wine amphoras and luxury goods found their way far inland—notably to Vix (Mont Lassois) overlooking the Seine—and Gauls (evolving the La Tène culture) learned from the colonists how to cultivate the fields, and how to grow the vine and olive. Moreover, the Massalians bestrode and dominated the sea route between Spain and Italy; thus along the Mediterranean coast of Gaul, Carthaginian outposts were superseded by a network of Massalian settlements, including Monoecus (Monaco), Nicaea (Nice), Antipolis (Antibes) and Agathe Tyche (Agde)—the earliest—and the white limestone promontory of Leucate.

From there the line of Massalia's colonization was extended to Spain, where settlements were established at Ampurias (Emporiae), Hemeroscopium (near the south cape of the Gulf of Valencia), Alonae (near Cape Nao) and Maenace (Torre del Mar, the remotest of all western Greek colonies). Moreover, the Massalians ventured beyond the Straits of Gibraltar into the Atlantic Ocean, and explored the west African coast. They recorded victories over the Carthaginians in the sixth and fifth centuries, although the success of their mother city Phocaea in the naval Battle of Alalia (c 535) was so costly that Phocaean-Massalian influence in Corsica suffered a setback.

Governed by an extreme oligarchy, later replaced by a council of 600—presiding over a constitution much admired for its stability and Ionian laws—the city (from the fifth century onward) struck silver and bronze coinage with the heads of its principal deities Artemis of the Ephesians and Apollo of Delphi (where the Massalians maintained a treasury). From an early date—traditionally the sixth century—Massalia had come to an agreement with the Romans that was later developed into an official alliance. Its ships gave help to Rome during the Second Punic War (218–201), acquiring increased importance in the west after the fall of Syracuse in 210, and its rulers' appeal for help against the marauding Salluvii (125) led before long to the establishment of the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis (Transalpine [southern] Gaul).

Gaius Marius' Rhône canal from Arelate (Arles) to the sea brought Massilia (as the Romans called it) considerable income from tolls. Cicero's shady client Milo retired to the city in 52, thanking the orator for his failure to deliver his speech in his favor, which enabled him to retire to Massilia and enjoy its red mullets. It retained its independent authority until 49, when, having taken the side of Pompey the Great in his Civil War against Julius Caesar, it was besieged and captured by Caesar's troops. It was saved from destruction by its ancient repute and long pro-Roman record, but was stripped of its fleet, war machines, treasure and most of its territory and dependencies. Thereafter, although retaining federal status and autonomy, and a high reputation for Greek culture and education (Tacitus' father-in-law Agricola was one of those who studied there), Massilia ceased to possess any political importance and gradually continued to decline, although an eminent physician, Crinas, rebuilt its city wall in the time of Nero (AD 54–68).

In 310 the emperor Maximian, who had been induced to abdicate reluctantly together with his senior colleague Diocletian (305), made a second attempt to return to power, once again proclaiming himself Augustus but soon taking refuge from Constantine I the Great in Massilia, where he was besieged, forced to capitulate by his own men, and found dead in suspicious circumstances shortly afterwards. The Visigoth Ataulf failed to capture the city in 413, receiving a severe wound at the hands of the Roman commander Bonifacius, and four years later its bishop successfully defied an attempt by Pope Zosimus to subordinate him to the episcopate of Arelate (Arles); although excommunicated, he remained in his see. Despite subsequent Visigothic rule, Massilia was reported by Agathias to have retained its Greek character until Frankish domination began in 536.

Of the earlier Greek periods of the city only traces (especially pottery) have been discovered. The tongue of land beside the ancient harbor has been excavated, revealing port constructions and warehouses of the first century BC and first and second centuries AD. A gate flanked by two square towers probably belongs to the last of these periods; and so do certain surviving stretches of the walls, although other portions and traces are of Republican and late imperial dates. Religious buildings traceable by excavations or finds include a shrine of Cybele and early Christian churches.