Marseille
Historical Background

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Marseille is the oldest town in France. The legend surrounding the origins of the town go back to 600 BCE. Greek sailors coming from Phocaea (Asia Minor) chose to focus their activity in the Lacydon creek—the present location of the Vieux Port. The day they arrived the leader of the Greeks, Protis, made a visit to the Ligure tribe, which had settled there. It just so happened that on that very day, Gyptis, daughter of King Naan was to be married. Gyptis chose Protis as her husband above a number of other suitors - he had also fallen head over heels for her—and thus, Massalia was founded.

Massalia quickly became a successful city thanks to the commercial talent of the Greeks. Trading posts were set up all along the Mediterranean coast, in particular at Agde, Arles and Le Brusc. Massalia's history is one of turbulence and uncertainty. Initially the city went into decline when it was taken over by Rome. Its fleet, treasure and trading posts became the property of Caesar. After the invasions it became a port which was favorable to commercial activity. In the 11th century, the city began to expand. A vast boatyard came under construction but Marseille quickly fell under the control of Charles d'Anjou. The town also opposed Louis XIV, and was conquered once again. The Fort Saint Nicolas and the Fort Saint Jean were both built. At that time, Massalia was under the control of Colbert who developed the city's infrastructure. Business prospered on an international scale.

Periods of prosperity alternated with times of crisis, and just when Massalia had become a truly international port it was hit by a plague. The Great Plague was a major event during the 18th century. The origin of the epidemic was a ship—Le Grand Saint Antoine. Quarantine was not sufficient and the plague swept through the town. In May 1720, Marseille was cut off from the rest of Provence. The parliament in Aix forbade any communication with Marseille. However, the plague continued to spread all the same to Aix, Apt, Arles, Toulon, and soon the whole of France was touched by it. The city was not completely wiped out, but it had lost half of its population. The revolution was eagerly received. It was in 1792 that the war song, sung by the army of the Rhine and composed by Rouget de Lisle—known as La Marseillaise—became an anthem. Marseille then rebelled against the 'Convention.' As a result it became "the town with no name" for a few months.

The town was also involved in World War II. At the time, it was under the jurisdiction of the central power and districts including Panier were destroyed. Once the war was over, the port became an important thoroughfare and the city built hospitals and a metropolitan network.

Today, excavations in the Vieux Port have show many vestiges of the past. They indicate that the city, today rich and diverse, has an incredible history.