The oldest
city within modern France, Marseille, was founded around 600 BC by Greeks from the
Asia Minor city of Phocaea as a trading post or emporion under the name Μασσαλία
(Massalia).
A
foundation myth reported by Aristotle in the 4th century BC as well as by Latin
authors, recounts how the Phocaean Protis (son of Euxenus) married Gyptis (or
Petta), the daughter of a local Segobriges king called Nannus, thus giving him
the right to receive a piece of land where he was able to found a city. The
contours of the Greek city have been partially excavated in several
neighborhoods. The Phocaean Greeks introduced the cult of Artemis, as in their
other colonies.
Roman Pottery Vessel Fragment with Running Boars, 2nd Century AD
A fragment of a large Roman platter, probably from southern Gaul, made of fine red ware pottery, covered with an orangey-red slip, decorated in raised relief with three wild boar running at full speed, their mouths slightly open, their ears pricked.
BellezzoNero 