- Aix-en-Provence is a cathedral city located on the river Arc, 20 miles (33km) north of Marseille, in the Provences-Alpes-Cote d’Azur Region of southeastern France.
- Nearby is the Oppidum of Entremont, capital of the Salyes Gallic Tribe, with extensive Remains.
History
- It was founded by the Romans as a Spa town in 123 BCE by the Consul Sextius Calvinus, who named it Aquae Sextiae after himself. It was in the Province of Gallia Narbonensis.
- Battle of Aquae Sextiae (102 BCE)
- The Battle took place near Aix-en-Provence, where 120,000 soldiers of the Cimbri and Teutones faced 40,000 Roman soldiers divided into six Roman Legions and their Auxiliaries. The Cimbri and Teutones were annihilated and their losses were 90,000 dead and 20,000 taken as Roman Slaves.
- 300 of the married women killed their children and committed suicide rather than become Roman Slaves. The Roman Losses were 1,000 killed.
Roman Sites
- Roman Baths
- These are only available to view through a glass floor in the modern luxury Thermae Sextius Spa, which was built over the Roman baths and uses the same spring water.
Roman Roads
Aix-en-Provence