Lyon - 700 years of Roman Government

One of Lyon's most interesting features is its importance in Roman history. In Neolithic times, the land of Gaul was prosperous and advanced technologically. It suited the Romans to call them 'Barbarians'... but Neolithic history shows Gaulic communities were as advanced as Italians. The Gauls invented chariots before the Romans... although only used them for ceremonial occasions. They had sorted out a lunar calendar before the Romans. They had scripts for writing... but didn't see much need for all that bother... just remember what was said/promised... that's all that was needed.

There is evidence of substantial trade between Gaul and Italy in Neolithic times. When Rome started to build its empire, Gaul was left in the 'too hard basket' for hundreds of years. A few generals/consuls eventually launched raiding parties collecting gold and slaves... without leaving infrastructure for a continuing dominating presence... bringing Gaul into the empire. That job was left to big Juli... and it took him the best part of a decade to complete. He established military dominance in Gaul... and left sufficient troops to maintain that dominance. His plans to build administrative infrastructure to support empirical rule was interrupted by the Roman civil war... which directed Caesar's attention to the south... and as you know, he met his 'sticky' end shortly thereafter.

But the generals he left in Gaul were under no illusions regarding what had to be done. They immediately started a gigantic project to build a city that could be the centre of Roman rule in Gaul. They chose a 'greenfield' site at Lyon... and used the extensive river systems around Lyon to bring huge quantities of building materials to the planned city site. Thus started 500 years of (relatively) peaceful occupation... followed by another 200 years of self government using Roman political structures. Within the Roman empire, Lyon was given early recognition of its importance. Claudius bestowed Roman citizenship on Lyon's barbarians in 50 AD. A bronze plate inscribed with the full text of the speech was displayed prominently in Lyon for 700 years and now sits in Lyon's museum.

When we now think of the major city in France, we think of Paris. Up until 1312, Lyon was independent of Paris... and in some respects more important in commerce and international politics. Begrudgingly, Lyon has had to gradually acknowledge the leadership of Paris in the government of France. But don't count Lyon out just yet. It has leadership in the business of computer games and cinema... two mediums that could easily lead to world domination.