Arles

Arles was an important Roman city, conquered by the Republic in 123 B.C.

Arles sided with Julius Caesar and Marseille sided with Pompey. When Pompey lost, Massalia was stripped of its wealth and the Roman Legio VI Ferrata settled in Arles.

The Musee de l'Arles et de la Provence Antiques has an impressive collection.

The controversial Arles bust, that may or may not be of Julius Caesar.

I guess the Romans had bear-baiting.

A barge from 50-60 A.D. used to transport limestone blocks. Roman Arles was a major trade hub.

Iron from mines near Narbonne

Amphorae from North Africa

Cute lamp

A high quality dog vase

Horoscope oil lamps

Nice handle

Amphora marked with the quality of the product inside

Gladiator with adjustable helmet

A Roman pontoon bridge across the Rhone.

An altar to Cybele

Excellent mosaics

A fourth century Christian sarcophagus

Romans liked waves on their sarcophagi. 

The artistic scene went in to decline during the Carolingian period.

The Rhone forks into two branches north of Arles.

Emperor Constantine built baths in Arles in the 4th century.

Another nice chat.

Old meets new

Arles' town hall was built over the old Roman forum.

Under the town hall is a cryptoportico cellar for goods.

A must visit to escape the heat

An obelisk from Asia Minor

The Church of St. Trophime was built in the 12th century.

Not a good way to go

The church was built over a 5th century basilica.

Quite a tomb

A lot of reliquaries

There is a cloister attached to the Church.

The double pillars have intricate biblical capitals.

Some are derpy

Most are derpy

A view from the roof of the cloister

The Roman theater

The Arles Amphitheatre

There is still bullfighting in southern France.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the amphitheater was transformed into a stone town and fortress with towers.  

The Alyscamps is a Roman necropolis just outside downtown Arles.

Of course there is a weird art installation there.

There are 1,500 years of sarcophagi here.

The Church of Saint Honoratus is at the end of the sarcophagi lined path.

It was very fashionable to be buried in the Alyscamps during Roman times. The sarcophagi were stacked three layers deep, and coffins were shipped from across Europe to the site.

Odd markings on the stone

Van Gogh and Gauguin both hung out at the Alyscamps.

A peaceful place for the dead to rest