Corsica

• Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean and has been continuously occupied since 6,500 BCE.
• It was a Roman Province and is now a Department of France.

1. History

• Pre-Roman history:
  • Also known as the Mountain in the sea.
  • 6,000 BCE Archeological Site of Filitosa, a Temple of Megalithic stones, with many stones having carved faces and bearing weapons.
  • 565 BCE Greeks fom Phocaea founded city of Kalliste (Aleria).
  • 540 BCE Greeks defeated by Carthaginian – Etruscan Alliance. However the Greeks continued to control the commerce in wood, wood resin and honey (Corsican honey is still a major export today).
  • 278-259 BCE Carthaginian military occupation of the island.
• Acquisition by Rome:
  • 259 BCE City of Alalia occupied during the First Punic War (264-241 BCE), but the Interior was not pacified until 162 BCE.
  • c. 100 BCE Alalia was rebuilt and renamed Aleria
• Timeline of this Province:
• After Augustus’ reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE)
• After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
• After the death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
  • 436 CE Corsica lost to the Vandal Kingdom in Carthage.
• Famous Persons from this Province:
  • Main Roman centre of Banishment for political Exile:
    • Seneca, by Claudius for adultery with Claudius’ niece.
    • C. Casius Longinus, accused of conspiracy under Nero.
    • Anicentus, murderer of Agrippina, Nero’s Mother.
    • Also many Christians and Jews were exiled here under Tiberius.
• Chief archeological Finds:
  • Ruins of Aleria.
  • Archeological Area of Filitosa Megalithic Stone Site.

2. Geography

• Capital City:
  • Aleria (Ruins today). Settled by Sulla.
• Chief Cities:
  • Ajaccio (Urcinium), Bastia (Mantinorum Oppidum), Mariana (founded by Marius).
• Location Today:
  • Corsica. It is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
• Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • Sardinia (South). Rome lies c. 148 nm (274km) to the east.
• Climate and Temperature Today:
• 3 types of climate:
  • Mediterranean climate:
    • below 2,000 ft (600m): the coastal areas, where most of the population lives, have hot, dry summers (May to September) and mild, rainy winters (wettest months are March, April, October and November) and vegetation consists of Mediterranean forests (mostly Holm Oak and Cork Oak), woodlands and shrubs.
  • Temperate montane zone:
    • between 2,000-5,900 ft (600-1800m): Cooler and wetter. Here the Forests are of Oak and Pine, like in Northern Europe, inhabited by shepherds and woodcutters.
  • Alpine zone:
    • 5,900-8,900 ft (1,800-2,700m): snow capped peaks with small glaciers, with little vegetation and no inhabitants.
  • The North is cooler than the South.
  • The East has an alluvial plain around Aleria and is wetter than the West, which has a rocky coastline.
• Animal species
  • Corsican red deer, Mouflon (wild sheep), Wild Boar, Corsican Nuthatch, Corsican Fire Salamander, Corsican Brook Salamander.
• Main Rivers:
  • R. Golo, R. Tavignano
• Mountain Ranges:
  • Corsica is the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean and was formed by volcanic action, with the mainly granite mountains forming a single chain occupying two thirds of the island.
  • 20 peaks are over 6,600 ft (2,000m). The highest peak is Monte Cinto at 8,878 ft (2,706m).
  • The range runs northwest-southeast and divides Corsica into the East and the West. Access between the two areas is by narrow footpath between the opposing valleys. The easiest way to get around the island for centuries was by sea.
• Islands:
  • Only a few, mainly in the South between Corsica and Sardinia.

3. Political Organisation

• Province Type:
  • Senatorial Propraetorial Province:
    • From 27 BCE, It was ruled jointly with Sardinia.
• Governor:
  • Propraetor
• Tribes and Population:
  • Corsi (Ligurian and Iberian origins)
• Language:
  • Greek, Carthaginian, Etruscan then Latin.

4. Military Organisation

• Legions:
  • None.
  • Corsica and Sardinia each recruited Three Auxiliary Cohorts, a total of six for the Roman Army.
• Navy:
  • Aleria (Alalia)
    • This was a major naval base created by Augustus and subordinate to the Classis Misenensis at Misenum in Naples.
    • Fleets were placed in Diana Harbour, an inland lake with access to the sea. The Fleet protected the Strait of Bonifacio between Corsica and Sardinia.
• Defensive Works:
  • The Naval harbour of Aleria. (subsequently silted up)
• Main Threats:

5. Economy

• Chief Exports:
  • Timber, Wood Resin, Honey, Wax, Grain, Olive oil, Wine, Wool
• Agriculture and Fishing:
  • Garum, Saltpans
• Manufacturing:
• Mines:
  • Granite and Marble Quarries
• Mints:

6. Transport

• Roads:
  • Via Corsica
• Waterways:
  • Unnavigable mountain rivers.
• Ports:
  • Aleria
• Ancient Trade Routes:
  • Strait of Bonifacio
    • Shared with Sardinia. This is the trade route between Rome and Iberia and Gaul.
  • The Sea lanes between Bastia and Elba
    • Here shipping passed between Rome and southern Gaul.
• Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7.0 Relationship with Rome

• Very important Province along with Sardinia and ruled jointly by one Governor.
• The Strait of Bonifacio between the islands and the Sea Lanes between Corsica and Elba controlled all Shipping from Rome to Iberia and Gaul.
• Between 40-39 BCE Sextus Pompey occupied Corsica and controlled Sardinia and his fleet blockaded the Grain Fleet from reaching Rome causing great hardship. Octavian was forced to sign a Peace Treaty.

8.0 History of Christianity in this Province

9.0 Roman Authors describing this Province

Corsica