Gallia Aquitania

• Gallia Aquitania was a Roman Province located in modern south western France, with the capital at Bordeaux (Burdigala).

1. History

• Pre-Roman history:
  • The Aquitani consisted of 20 Aquetani Tribes mostly along the Pyrenees and Atlantic, and 14 Celtic Tribes. They occupied the Region between the Atlantic, the Pyrenees up to the Loire and the Mediterranean.
  • They were considered by the Romans to be distinct from the other Gallic Tribes, having their own language, laws and institutions and were very similar to the Iberians according to Strabo.
• Acquisition by Rome:
  • 56 BCE The Aquitani were defeated during the Gallic Wars by the 25 year old General Publius Crassus commanding 12 Cohorts accompanied by Celtic Allies.
• Timeline of this Province:
• Under The Republic:
  • 36 BCE Agrippa suppressed a Rebellion by the Aquetani. Another Rebellion took place in 28-27 BCE.
• After Augustus’ reconstituted the Republic into an Empire (27 BCE):
  • 22 BCE, Gallia Comata was divided into the Tres Gallia or The Three Gauls and this region became the Province of Gallia Aquitania.
  • 276 CE Bordeaux (Burdigala) was sacked by the Vandals.
• After Diocletian’s Reforms (297 CE):
  • Aquetania was subdivided into Aquitania Prima, Aquitania Secunda, Aquitania Tertia.
• After Death of Theodosius (395 CE) and the final split into Eastern Empire and Western Empire:
  • 409 CE and 414 CE Bordeaux was sacked by the Visigoths.
  • 418 CE Honorius settled the Visigoths in Aquitania, who had now become allies during the Germanic Invasions.
  • 476 CE By this date the Visigothic Kingdom had taken over the last Roman ruled Possessions there and lasted until 719 CE.
• Famous Persons from this Province:
  • Ausonius, the Poet was born in Bordeaux (Burdigala).
• Chief archeological Finds:
  • Bordeaux itinerary (333-334 CE) is the earliest documented Pilgrimage route using the Roman Road system from Bordeaux in Gallia Aquitania to Jerusalem in Judaea.
• Historic Battle Sites:
  • Battle of Gergovia, south of Clermont Ferrand
• Main Historical Sources for this Province:

2. Geography

• Capital City:
  • Saintes (Mediolanum Santorum)
    • city of the ‘Santones’, it was the first capital of Gallia Aquitania.
  • Bordeaux (Burdigala)
    • The city of the ‘Bituriges Vivisci’, was a very important Port trading with Britannia. It was also a Roman centre of Education.
• Chief Cities:
  • Agen (Civitas Agenensium), Bayonne (Lapurdum),  Clermont Ferrand (Augustonemetum), Perigueux (Vesunna), Poitiers (Pictavium), Saintes (Mediolanum Santonum), Vichy (Vicus Calidus).
• Location Today:
  • Southwestern France
• Neighbouring Roman Provinces:
  • Gallia Narbonensis, Gallia Lugdunensis, Hispania Tarraconensis.
• Climate and Temperature Today:
  • Mild Oceanic climate warmed by the Gulfstream, frequent summer rainfall differentiates it from being a Mediterranean climate. Temperatures range from 10°C in winter to 25°C in Summer. The Pyrenees are snow capped for much of the year.
• Main Geographical features:
  • Flat fertile coastal Plain with miles of Sand dunes along the coastline. The Pyrenees drain into Garonne plain producing fertile agricultural land. The Massif Central.
• Main Rivers:
  • R. Garonne, R. Dordogne
• Mountain Ranges:
  • Pyrenees, Massif Central.
• Islands:
  • Isle d’Oleron, La Rochelle, Ile de Yeu, Ile de Noirmoutier.
• Sand dunes:
  • The Dune du Pilat is Europe’s biggest Sand dune. It is located near the Bassin D’Arcachon and stands at over 328 ft (100m) high.

3. Political Organisation

• Province Type
  • Imperial PropraetorialImperial Propraetorial
• Governor:
  • Propraetor
• Tribes and Population:
  • The Aquetani, who the Romans did not consider to be one of the Gallic Tribes.
• Language:
  • Aquitani, Gallic, Latin

4. Military Organisation

• Legions:
  • None
• Navy:
  • Classis Aquitanica based at Bordeaux (Burdigala).
• Defensive Works:
• Main Threats:

5. Economy

• Chief Exports:
• Agriculture and Fishing:
• Manufacturing:
  • Linen factories of the Cadurci.
• Mines:
  • Gold mines of the Tarbelli.
  • Silver mines of the Ruteni and the Gabales.
  • Ironworks of the Petrocorii and the Bituriges Cubi.
• Mints:

6. Transport

• Roads:
  • Via Aquitania
    • Bordeaux–Agen–Toulouse–Carcassonne–Narbonne.
  • Via Agrippa
    • Saintes–Clermont Ferrand–Lyon.
  • Via Lusitanorum
    • Bordeaux–Lisbon.
• Waterways:
  • River Garonne, River Charente.
• Ports:
  • Bordeaux (Burdigala), Bayonne (Baiona)
• Ancient Trade Routes:
  • Sea Route to Britannia from Bordeaux.
  • Sea Route between France and Spain along the Atlantic coast.
  • Overland Route to the Mediterranean via the R. Garonne and R. Aude.
• Number of Days taken to travel from this Province to Rome:

7. Relationship with Rome

8. History of Christianity in this Province

• Bordeaux itinerary (Itinerarium Burdigalense) (333-334 CE)
  • This was written by an anonymous Pilgrim who described the route from Bordeaux to Jerusalem.
  • Outbound:
    • Italy, Danube, Constantinople, Asia Minor, Syria.
  • Inbound:
    • Macedonia, Otranto, Rome, Milan.
• Hilary of Poitiers (c. 300-367 CE) Bishop of Poitiers.

9. Roman Authors describing this Province

Gallia Aquitania