Autun is a town in the Saône-et-Loire département in Burgundy, France, and has a history which dates back to Roman times. It also marks
the furthest eastward expansion on the Umayyad campaign in Europe.
History
Autun was founded during the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus (Autun derives from its Latin name Augustodunum), and
was famous for having schools of rhetoric. Several elements of Roman architecture such as
walls, gates, and a Roman theatre are still visible in the town. The area also lies in the area of Burgundy, and in the
Middle Ages, it was a Count of Autun who became the first Duke of Burgundy.
In 725, the Umayyad general ‘Anbassa ibn Suhaym al-Kalbi (عنبسة بن سحيم الكلبي) marched up
the Saône valley to Autun. On 22 August 725 he captured the town after defeating forces led by the
local bishop, Emilian D’Autun, who was slain during the course of the battle. Autun would be the easternmost point of expansion
of Umayyad forces into Europe.[1] Just seven years later in
732, the Umayyads would be forced to begin their withdraw to al-Andalus after facing defeat
at the Battle of Tours.
Ecclesiastical history
-
Christian teaching reached Autun at a very early period, as we know from the famous funeral inscription, in Greek, of a
certain Pectorius frequently known as the Inscription of Autun which dates from the third century. The first bishop known to
history is Saint Reticius, an ecclesiastical writer, and contemporary of the Emperor
Constantine I (306–337). The Bishop of Autun enjoys the right of wearing the pallium, in virtue of
a privilege accorded to the see in 599 by pope St. Gregory the
Great (590–604). The diocese comprises the entire
Department of Saone et Loire in France.
Sights
The city boasts two ancient Roman gates (the Porte St.-André and Porte d'Arroux) and
other ruins dating to the time of Augustus (Augustodonum). One of the most impressive
remains is that of the ancient theater, which was one of the largest in the western part of the empire with 17000 seats of
capacity. To the northwest of the city is the so-called Temple of Janus, only two walls (faces) of which remain. To the southeast
is the mysterious Pierre de Couhard, a rock pyramid of uncertain function which may date to Roman times.
Autun has a major Romanesque cathedral
dating from the early twelfth century, which was formerly the chapel of the Dukes of Burgundy; their palace was the actual
episcopal residence. St. Lazare was originally built as a pilgrimage church for the veneration of the relics of Lazarus, whom
Christ was thought to have raised from the dead. Autun's 12th-century bishop, Étienne de Bâgé, probably built the church in
response to the construction of Ste. Madeleine at nearby Vézelay, home to the French cult of Mary Magdalene, Lazarus's sister.
St. Lazare was only later elevated to the rank of cathedral, replacing the former cathedral dedicated to St. Nazaire. St. Lazare
is most famous for its architectural sculpture, particularly the tympanum of the Last Judgment above the west portal, surviving
fragments from the lost portal of the north transept, and the capitals in the nave and choir. All of these are traditionally
considered the work of Gislebertus, who signed the west tympanum. There is some debate as to whether this name refers to the
sculptor or a patron, but if Gislebertus is in fact the artist, he is one of the few medieval artists whose name is known.
[Cathedral:[1],[2]
Other notable connections
- Bishop and Saint Leodegar
- Nivelon I (d. 768) was known as Count of Autun
- In the late 9th century, Charles Martel's daughter (name listed as Auda, Alane, or
Aldana) married Thierry IV (also called Theoderich or Theoderic), Count of Autun and Toulouse. According to the controversial
book Holy Blood Holy Grail (which may merely be repeating local
legend), Theoderic was declared a King by the Carolingians, and his son was Saint
William of Gellone. (For more details on this topic, see Septimania#References in popular culture.)
- In the late 9th century, the countship was vacant after the death of Robert the
Strong, but was returned to Bernard Plantilosa, son of Bernard of Septimania, and then later to Bernat of Gothia, Count of Barcelona after Bernard fell out of favor.
- In 878, King Louis the Younger took the countship away and gave it to his
chamberlain, Theodoric.
- Richard of Autun (c.867-921), also Count of Autun, was also the first
Duke of Burgundy, whose ducal principality amalagmated several countships including
Autun
- Honorius of Autun (died c. 1151)
- Napoleon I's foreign minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord was a sometime bishop of Autun.
- Nicolas Rolin, Chancellor of Burgundy under
Philip the Good, came from Autun, where several examples of his artistic patronage can
be seen. The Rolin Madonna, by Jan van
Eyck, in the Louvre, shows what was probably at least intended as a view of Autun in the
background.
- In 1852, the uranium mineral autunite was first discovered near Autun, and named for the town.
- The European Triathlon Championships were also held in the town in 2006.
- The Fifth Stage of the 2007 Tour de France ended in the town, with the entrance
to Autun being a twisting and winding route down from a nearby mountain.
Sister Cities
Autun has sister city relationships with:
See also
Sources and external links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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