50 BC: Julius Cesar reigned supreme over Gaul. But this was no simple military conquest. Rome wanted to spread its greatness, bringing civilization to the defeated barbarians now part of the Empire. Rome’s new territory was transformed through huge construction projects, involving aqueducts, roads, baths, amphitheaters, and arenas. This series explores three cities that today are home to the vestiges of this industrious civilization. Through the use of CGI, archive footage, aerial imagery, and expert testimony, this trilogy unveils the secrets of these wonders of Roman engineering.
Seasons & Episode
In this first episode, we look at Arles, once called the “little Rome of Gaul,” Arles (or Arelate in Latin) occupied an important strategic position at the crossroads between Italy and Spain. In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar founded a Roman colony in this city which had supported him in his long struggle. In time, the city changed and splendid Roman buildings were built.
Today, Lyon is the third-largest city in France but during ancient times, it was the largest. At the time, the capital of the Gauls was called Lugdunum. Between the end of the first century BC and the second century AD, all the monuments worthy of a Roman capital would be built in the city and Lyon would become a showcase for Rome in these lands conquered by Julius Caesar.
With its 2,185 monuments, today, Paris is the world's most touristic capital city! But in the 1st century BCE, the home of the Gallic Parisii tribe was conquered by Romans and was gradually rebuilt into the Roman city of Lutetia. Ruins including a forum, amphitheater, and Roman baths still remain.
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