Toponymics knows many examples of how the name of the same locality has changed throughout its lifetime.From the distant past comes to us the name of one of the ancient cities.On what European city before was called Lutetia, where it happened, and why did not survive to our time - see below.
Origin names
Cities and villages get their name from the people who inhabit them.But the meaning of a name is hidden from his contemporaries.For example, for many of London - a typical English name, and no one has any doubt that the city was named by the British.Few people realize that this name was given to the people of ancient settlement, which was inhabited by the Celts before this area.Most scholars are inclined to think that the name means "water flow".Replaced the native Celtic population Germanic tribe of the Saxons changed the ancient name, but the Romans changed the name of the village again.Thus, the name of a city or town can change many times, sometimes getting lost in the centuries, sometimes reaching up to now in the changed beyond recognition.Only in extreme cases, the city experienced a few centuries, retaining its ancient name, of course contemporaries.
Origin city
Finding the right answer to the question of what European city before was called Lutetia, the scientists gave food to many conjectures and hypotheses.This name is found in ancient chronicles and manuscripts of the period of the Roman Empire, so it was a pretty famous city.The scraps of information antiquity said that Julius Caesar led his army to the walls of Lutetia.Even then, the city was famous for.Presumably he was on the Ile de la Cité, and was the capital of the Parisii tribe.Archaeologists have found traces of stone piles, where the ancient inhabitants built their houses.Preserved traces of ancient buildings and constructions, typical of the late Neolithic era.Finally, archaeologists have found several ancient coins - shekel that was minted in Lutetia prior to its conquest by the Romans.
against the troops of Caesar tribe Parisii put up about 8 thousand. Trained soldiers, which means at the time of the Roman occupation of Lutetia was quite powerful and populous city-state.
Location city
Traditionally Lu was on the Ile de la Cité, which is currently located in a central area of Paris.But we should take into account that for the entire period of the existence of this city Sen has repeatedly changed the outlines of its banks.Which European city before was called Lutetia, have long been found, and that's where this place was located, scientists still argue.Research hampered primarily by the fact that the area was repeatedly subjected to conquest, was the scene of the battles of ancient and modern battles.All the finds of old time can be counted on the fingers.Nevertheless, it is clear that Lutetia is really existed and was a major European city.
origin of the name
Geographical location of the island's population is in itself gives an idea of what European city before was called Lutetia - Rome or Paris.The name of Rome has hardly changed over the millennia of its existence, but Paris was called so only after the Romans left the town.Prior to that, the city was known as Parise.Which means "the place of the village Parisii", a major tribe of Gallic origin, which make up a large part of the inhabitants of the neighborhood.Since that time, as the ancient notes of Julius Caesar were found and subjected to painstaking analysis, to stop arguing about what European city before was called Lutetia.Pictures original life of the ancient Gauls give an idea of the houses built on stilts on the flow of silt and mud of the river every year who inflicted Sung during his spill.On the one hand, this created inconvenience to the life and movement of people in the city, and on the other - caused additional difficulties during the siege of Lutetia.Dirt Seine fed many tribes living by farming.After the annual floods provide the necessary moisture and fertilize the fields near the walls of the city.
Lu ancient name comes from the Latin "dirt", so the Romans made known their indignation constantly dirty streets of the city.It is unlikely that it was a question of cleanliness of its inhabitants: the ancient Roman and ancient barbarian is approximately the same conditions.It is natural to assume that the Romans used to the dry and sunny climate, unpleasantly surprised spills Seine and accumulation of silt from its shores.
Thus, the name of Lu appeared on maps of the ancient world.But the name of the settlement, no doubt due to living in it Parisii tribe.Thus, the name of Lutetia applies only to the period of the Roman conquest of Gaul.Before and after Rome was called Lutetia Parisot, later changed to Paris.
Conclusions
Only painstaking work of archaeologists, linguists, historians helped to answer the question of what European city before was called Lutetia.Photos of antiquities from the island of Cité say that Parisi fished eagerly mastered the banks of the Seine, and mastered the art of the construction of river vehicles.Remains of buildings speak of the fortifications of the city.Arena de Lutece, the ruins of which have survived to the present day, gives an indication of the strong influence of the Roman civilization on indigenous peoples.Finally, the note of Caesar in 53 and 52 BC.e.confirm the existence of Lutetia.
answer to the question of what European city before was called Lutetia, you can only give one.It was the ancient name of Paris during the period of the Roman conquest.After the departure of the Romans the Gauls returned to the old name of his native city.And it has come to this day virtually unchanged.
