In Awe of the French: History Preserved

In awe of the French: Anytime I take a trip within France and walk among ancient Roman ruins, I am thankful to the French. In French towns and villages where the Romans used to roam, you can actually see, feel, touch and experience the places of the past. […] Explore this Post

Romans in Arles

It was believed that the living and the dead existed in different worlds during Roman times. Burials were not permitted within city limits. The net result was that roads on the outskirts of major settlements were often lined with tombstones. In the case of Arles, five necropolises were situated on each of the main roads leading to this commune.

Alyscamps or Aliscamps in Provencal was the most famous of the five. It was Arles’ main burial ground for almost 1,500 years. Located just outside the walls of the ancient town. Although not too physically distant from the Roman arena and theatre, the burial site would have been a world apart from the lively productions in those buildings.

Explore Roman Arles