Gaul Foundation IIᵉ siècle av. J.-C. (≈ 100 av. J.-C.)
First occupation of the oppidum by the Gauls.
Iᵉʳ siècle av. J.-C.
Cyclopean wall
Cyclopean wall Iᵉʳ siècle av. J.-C. (≈ 100 av. J.-C.)
Construction of 2 km fortifications.
737
Destruction by Charles Martel
Destruction by Charles Martel 737 (≈ 737)
Final end of occupation.
8 mai 1896
Ranking of ramparts
Ranking of ramparts 8 mai 1896 (≈ 1896)
First protection under Historic Monuments.
27 octobre 2010
Registration of the archaeological site
Registration of the archaeological site 27 octobre 2010 (≈ 2010)
Protection extended to all remains.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Altimurium ramparts: ranking by order of 8 May 1896 - Remnants of the ancient rampart (Box B 251, 252, 254 to 258, 271, 332 to 335, 337 to 339): inscription by order of 24 March 1971 - The archaeological site of the ancient agglomeration of Castellas, delimited by its ancient enclosure, as shown on the plan annexed to the decree, as well as the "Roman fountain", in total (cf. At 208, the Village, 216 to 218, 225, 226, 1370, 1678, 1679, 1683, 1684, 1690, route de Bel-Air; B1 250 to 258, 266, 269 to 287, 291 to 294, 296 to 339, 350 to 361, 862, 863, 884, 905, 906, places known as « Saint-Julia », « le Château », « Champ du Four », « la Cioutat » and « Lardène » ; with the service paths of the public non-cadastral public domain): inscription by order of 27 October 2010
Key figures
Charles Martel - Head franc
Destroyed the city in 737.
Origin and history
The Oppidum d'Altimurium is a major archaeological site of ancient times, located in the commune of Murviel-lès-Montpellier (Herault, Occitanie). Founded in the second century BC by the Gauls, it becomes a strategic Roman city thanks to its proximity to the Domitian Way. Its system of fortifications, including a cyclopean wall of nearly 2 km, makes it an equivalent of the Ambrussum or the Enserune, under the dependence of Nemaususus (Nîmes), the regional capital of Narbonaise.
Between the 2nd century B.C. and the 2nd century A.D., a monumental centre developed in the low city, home to a forum and buildings typical of ancient Rome (aqueducts, mosaics, statues). The city, organized in two parts (high and low town), declined from the third century before being definitively destroyed in 737 by Charles Martel, like other regional cities (Nîmes, Maguelone).
The remains, partially searched, reveal a continuous occupation until the High Middle Ages. The ramparts were classified as Historic Monument in 1896, followed by successive inscriptions in 1971 and 2010 to protect the entire site, including the ancient enclosure and the "Roman fountain". The excavations, limited to date, are expected to expand through the acquisition of land by the Department of Herault.
The importance of Altimurium lies in its role as a commercial and military hub, illustrated by its fortifications and its structured urban planning. The city embodied the Roman model in Gaul, with public infrastructures (therms, sanctuaries) and an old network connected to the Domitian Way. Its destruction in the eighth century marks the end of its influence, although its ruins remain a key testimony of regional antiquity.
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