Samarobriva
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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Amiens. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2010. |
Samarobriva was the name of Amiens during the Gallo-Roman era.
[edit] Origin of the name
Its Gallo-Roman name was Samarobriva, meaning in the prior local language « Bridge(briva) on the Somme (Samara) ». Like in many other places in Gaul, the name of the local people, the Ambianis, has replaced the name of their capital city, Samarobriva (The final –s in « Amiens » like in other French cities is derived from the plural accusative form "Ambienos", or from the plural ablative-locative "Ambianis").
[edit] History
The region was already inhabited during the prehistoric era. When the Romans came, Gallic people (the Ambianis) inhabited the area. Very few things remain of the Gallic city due to the lack of archeological research and availability of antique texts. When the Romans arrived in Gaul, they noticed the strategic situation of the city. In his work, De Bello Gallico (The War of the Gauls), Julius Caesar notes that he installed his winter-camp in Samarobriva from the autumn 54 BC to the Spring 53 BC when he first attempted to conquer Britain. He appointed twice the Concilium Galliae.
The city underwent important development during the 1st century, when the Roman emperor Claudius I decided to conquer Britain. New roads were built in Gaul, strengthening the city’s influence. Samarobriva became a main crossroads on the way between Lugdunum(Lyon) and Bononia(Boulogne-sur-Mer) as well as in Northern Gaul.
During this period the forum, the baths and the amphitheatre were constructed. The city’s streets were organised according to an orthogonal plan, the streets crossing each other in right angles forming insulae.
In 287, Saint Firmin became the first bishop of Amiens and preached Christianity in the city. During the 4th century the amphitheatre was transformed into a fortress : The Castillon. The surface of the surrounding walls was at the time about 20 acres (81,000 m2), which made the fortress of Amiens the largest in Northern Gaul.
