The history of Marseille

Marseille is the oldest city in France with a rich past. It has been, throughout the centuries, the theater of major events in history before becoming what it is today, one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean.The history of Marseille begins in Antiquity, 600 years before our era. It is at this time that the first Greeks from Phocaea land in the bay that will become the Old Port. The legend says that the beautiful Gyptis, daughter of the indigenous chief would have fallen under the spell of the Greek sailor Protis. They married and founded together the ancient city of Massalia, which later became Marseille.The city has grown over the centuries and has seen the most illustrious figures in history, from Julius Caesar, through Louis XIV to General de Gaulle and other great names of modern times. In 2,600 years, the city has passed through several journeys, experienced times of trouble and peace, affliction and glory, misfortune and wealth.After a millennium under the ban of Rome, Marseilles was the object of the invasion of the barbarians and lived under the yoke of the Visigoths between the 5th and the 6th century, before passing under the domination of the Franks. Subsequently, the city was plundered by the Saracens and the Byzantine pirates. These turbulent times will last until the nineties.From the 11th century, Marseille acquired its status as a major port of the Mediterranean and is experiencing considerable growth. The good understanding between the Viscounts and the bishops of Saint-Victor, who share power, contributes to the development and political stability of the city. 3 centuries later, the turbulent character of the city comes to put an end to the peace by a revolt of the inhabitants against the bishop. It was in 1216 and Marseilles will not find stability until several centuries later.Wars and diseases take turns in the city. It was the object of the lust of various Mediterranean lords and rulers before being struck by the great plague in 1347. Later, in the 16th century, it is the victim of the war that opposes the French to the Holy Roman Empire And is besieged by the latter. These years of war will be followed by a second epidemic of plague in 1720.This episode was the worst test by which Marseilles passed. The plague of 1720 dealt a severe blow to the old city and decimated a large part of its population: nearly 40,000 victims out of the 75,000 inhabitants of the time. Despite all these misfortunes, Marseilles will resist and rise again.As mentioned above, the Marseilles people have always had a turbulent, rebellious and rebellious character. It is therefore quite natural that the city should be totally acquired during the Revolution. It was during this period that the "Marseillaise" was born, a song of war by the Army of the Rhine which became the national anthem of France.After these periods, Marseille will experience glorious hours as well as terrible moments: magnificence during the imperial era, industrial development during the colonial period, hard hardships during the Great War, German occupation during the Second War, economic difficulty until 1980 , Before returning to the peace and the revival of modern times.