Alpes Cottiae

Alpes Cottiae was a Roman Province that controlled the Mont Cenis Pass (Elev: 6,834 feet or 2,083m) and the Mont Genevre Pass (Elev: 6,083 ft (1,854m).

Pre-Roman history:
Client Kingdom (14BCE-63 CE)
- Donnus, was King of the Ligurian Tribes;
- 14 BCE Under King Cottius, his son, the Alpes Cottiae became a Roman Client Kingdom
- 9-8 BCE He given title of Praefectus and the Population became Roman Citizens, as written on the Arch of Constantine in Susa.
- King Cottius’ son, Donno II, was also named Praefectus, as was his son, King Cottio II.
Acquisition by Rome:
After Augustus’ reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE)
- 63 CE Nero absorbed the Province on death of the last Client King, Cottio II and appointed a Procurator.
- Alpes Cottiae became part of the ‘Tres Alpes’ (The Three Alps) Provinces, along with Alpes Poenninae and Alpes Maritimae.

Timeline of this Province:
After the Reforms of Diocletian (297 CE):
- 297 CE merged with Alpes Maritimae under Diocletian.
After the death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
Famous Persons from this Province:
Chief Archeological Finds:
- Susa, Roman Triumphal Arch.

Capital City:
- Susa (Segusio), (in Piedmont) ‘Gateway to Italy’
Chief Cities:
Location Today:
- The Passes between Modane, Savoie and Susa, Piedmont, Italy
Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
- Gallia Narbonensis (west) Alpes Maritimae (South) Regio XI Transpadana, Italia (East) Alpes Poenninae (North)
Climate and Temperature Today:
- The Passes are closed from late November to late April.
Main Rivers:
- Durance and Arc, Isere river basin in France and Dora Riparia, river basin in Italy
Mountain Ranges:
- Cottian Alps
Mountain Passes:
- Mont Cenis Pass:
  - Little Mont Cenis Pass, and many others. It was the route used by Constantine I to invade Italia from Gaul.
- Mont Genevre Pass
  - opened in 77 BCE, it was open for longer than other Passes as it was lower and therefore possibly the likely route taken by Hannibal in 218 BCE. It carried the Via Domitia from Gaul into Italia.
- The Maddalena Pass which was in Alpes Maritimae, separated the Cottian Alps from the Maritime Alps.
Islands: None

Province Type
- Roman Client Kingdom
  - 14 BCE-63 CE when King Cottio II died and Nero annexed the Kingdom into a Province.
- Procuratorial:
  - 63-297 CE
- In 297 CE Merged into Alpes Maritimae
Governor:
- Procurator
Tribes and Population:
- Ligurians
Language:
- Celtic and Latin.

Legions:
- Praetorian Guard:
  - The Cohors Praetoria XII was garrisoned in Segusio Susa.
  - Later it was replaced by the Cohors Praetoria IX.
Navy: None
Defensive Works:
- The two Alpine Passes:
- Mont Cenis Pass
- Mont Genevre Pass.
Main Threats:
- Mont Cenis Pass
  - This was the invasion route for foreign armies to invade Italy.
  - It was used by Constantine I to invade Italy and defeat Maxentius:
  - Years later, it was used in 773 CE by Charlemagne to invade the Lombards.
- Mont Genevre Pass
  - It was possibly the invasion route used by Hannibal in 218 BCE.
  - This was the Pass used by the from Gaul into Italy.

Roads:
- Via Cottiae
  - linking Turin to Valence in Gaul.
- Via Domitia
  - linking Italy to Gaul via the Montgenevre Pass.
Waterways: None
Ports: None
Ancient Trade Routes:
- Mont Cenis Pass
  - Little Mont Cenis Pass, and many others. Maddalena Pass seperated Cottian Alps from the Maritime Alps.
  - It was the route used by Constantine I to invade Italia from Gaul.
- Montgenevre Pass
  - Completed in 77 BCE, it was open for longer than other Passes as it was lower and therefore possibly the likely route taken by Hannibal in 218 BCE.
  - It carried the Via Domitia from Gaul into Italia
Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

Part of the ‘Tres Alpes’ (The Three Alps)
- meaning the three Alpine Provinces of Rome: Alpes Cottiae, Alpes Maritimae and Alpes Poenninae.
Ancient Invasion route for armies to and from Italy.

Mont Cenis Pass, France