---
title: Massilia
author: Donald L. Wasson
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/massilia/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2022-09-15
---
# Massilia
_Authored by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/)_
Along the north-western coast of the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) Sea between Spain and [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) lies the ancient [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Massilia (modern Marseilles). Originally founded in 600 BCE by Ionian Greeks from Phocaea, the city would one day challenge the might of [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) (defeating them in both the 5th and 6th centuries BCE) and dominate the region, establishing a number of colonies in southern [Gaul](https://www.worldhistory.org/gaul/) during the 3rd and 4th centuries BCE. There is also some evidence that sailors from Massilia even travelled beyond the Pillars of [Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/) through the Strait of Gibraltar onto the western coast of [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/).
According to most sources, the city was settled on land obtained from the Ligurian Segobriges. Protis, a [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) from Phocaea, had been searching for new trading outposts when he happened upon the cove at Lacydon. This is where history and legend become one. The king of the Segobriges, Nannus, invited the young Greek to a banquet where his daughter, Gyptis, was to choose a spouse among a number of possible suitors. To the surprise of everyone (especially Protis) she deserted the favoured Gauls and presented the ceremonial cup to Protis. Sources vary on whether the cup contained water or wine. As a wedding gift, the king gave the newlyweds land that would become Massilia. The city, located on three hills and overlooking the harbour, would become one of the first ports in Western [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) and a centre of maritime [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/). The Greeks would also have a profound effect on the entire region in other ways. According to ancient sources, they taught the locals the “rule of [law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/),” how to cultivate the land, and, most of all, “civility.”
The story of Protis and the founding of Massilia would, however, take a dark twist. After the king's [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/), his son and heir came to consider the city as a threat and needed to be silenced. The plan was to sneak into the city at night, killing its inhabitants; however, the plot was spoiled when a relative of the king (who had fallen in love with a young Greek) divulged the plan. The participating Ligurians, the young king, and seven thousand of his followers were all killed.
Due to its strategic location, the city would grow rapidly, enjoying a second wave of emigration in 525 BCE after the fall of Phocaea. The presence of [Greek culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Greek_Culture/) - especially its [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) and art - at Massilia had a lasting effect from Gaul in the northwest and Spain to the far west; this influence became more evident with the arrival of Greek wine and olives as agricultural products. Although the city remained Greek in nature - complete with a [theatre](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/theatre/), [agora](https://www.worldhistory.org/agora/), temples, and docks - its location kept it from participating in any of the Greek wars in the homeland. Instead, they found an ally in their neighbour [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/). While maintaining its independence, the city aided Rome (through the provision of ships) during the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/) against Carthage (218 -202 BCE).
This loyalty to Rome would soon reap benefits. In 125 BCE when the Sulluvii from southern Gaul threatened the safety of Massilia, the city successfully appealed to Rome for assistance. Afterwards, the city served as a link between Gaul and their desire for [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) goods (particularly wine) and Rome's need for resources and slaves. Although the city continued to have ties to the Republic, it was still able to maintain its oligarchic form of government, complete with an assembly of six hundred who elected fifteen magistrates, three of whom had executive power - this independence would, though, soon come to abrupt end.
[  The Dying Gaul antmoose (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/205/the-dying-gaul/ "The Dying Gaul")In 49 BCE the city made the mistake of supporting [Pompey](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/) in his [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) against [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/). As [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/) marched to Spain, the people of Massilia closed the city gates to him. Leaving three legions to continue an assault upon the city, Caesar continued on to Spain. After a constant barrage with siege towers, siege ramps and battering ram, the city soon surrendered. Although Caesar chose to be merciful, the city still suffered, losing much of its surrounding territory and, most of all, its independence, becoming a member (not by choice) of the Republic.
In the latter stages of the [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/), the city's importance as a commercial centre declined, although maintaining a reputation for Greek [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) and learning. Later, with the rise of [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/), Massilia became a monastic centre and a haven for refugees fleeing barbarians to the north. Like other Roman colonies and [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/), it fell to both the [Ostrogoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/ostrogoth/) and [Visigoths](https://www.worldhistory.org/visigoth/) in the mid-fifth century CE, and ultimately to the [Franks](https://www.worldhistory.org/Franks/).
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- Bagnall, R.S. et al. *Encyclopedia of Ancient History.* Wiley-Blackwell, London, 2012
- Hornblower, S. *Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 1996
## About the Author
Donald has taught Ancient, Medieval and U.S. History at Lincoln College (Normal, Illinois)and has always been and will always be a student of history, ever since learning about Alexander the Great. He is eager to pass knowledge on to his students.
## Timeline
- **c. 600 BCE**: Phocaea founds the colony of [Massilia](https://www.worldhistory.org/massilia/).
- **525 BCE**: Second wave of emigration of Greeks to [Massilia](https://www.worldhistory.org/massilia/).
- **49 BCE**: [Massilia](https://www.worldhistory.org/massilia/) closes [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) gates to [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/).
- **49 BCE**: [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) besieges [Massilia](https://www.worldhistory.org/massilia/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Wasson, D. L. (2013, March 06). Massilia. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Wasson, Donald L.. "Massilia." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 06, 2013. .
### MLA
Wasson, Donald L.. "Massilia." *World History Encyclopedia*, 06 Mar 2013, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/ "User Page: Donald L. Wasson"), published on 06 March 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.