A publication of the Archaeological Institute of America
Orange, Roman Arausio, was inhabited from Neolithic times. Like Arles, it was colonized by Greeks from Massalia (Marseille) in the sixth century B.C. and became a Roman colony after the conquest of Massalia in 49 B.C. It was situated along a great trade route through the Rhône Valley and prospered until the barbarian invasions of the fifth century.
The two best-known and best-preserved Roman monuments in Orange are the Triumphal Arch at the outskirts of town, and the theater in the center of town. There is also a nice small museum opposite the theater, housing some of the finds from Orange and the surrounding area. The Theater and the Arch are both on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
 Arch |
 Theater |
 Museum |
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© 2010 by the Archaeological Institute of America
archive.archaeology.org/onsite/provence/orange.html
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