How Did Arles Change Gaul's Culture

The Transition of Gaul to Roman Gaul
In eighth to sixth century BCE Celtic Gaul’s culture began to emerge. Its surrounding neighbors, especially the Romans, saw their culture as barbaric. Gaul was separated into tribes led by chiefs. Life had been uncomfortable, agitating, and very divided between the tribes and its people. The Romans saw this division as an opportunity to take Gaul, and conquered it in the turning battle of Alesia in 52 BCE. The victory in this battle resulted in new Roman cities like Lugdunum (which is now Lyon) and Arles being established in Roman Gaul, and with these new cities came the influence of Roman politics and religion. First, Lugdunum used to be fortified on a hilltop and was once a reminder of Celtic Gaul’s religious practices that were looked down upon by the Romans. After the
Arles was cultural, and most importantly, a religious center of the Roman Empire in the later years. In the earlier years, Arles fought alongside Caesar and won. As a result, buildings such as an amphitheater, which is still use today, circuses, and aqueducts were built. As the Roman empire persisted, Constantine began building bathhouses since it was his favorite city to visit. This is where the religious influence of Arles is significant. Constantine outlawed Christianity in his empire, and since he loved this city, it was the first to convert to Christianity soon thereafter, becoming a template for what Charlemagne wanted to reform back to later.
In the end, the Romans had a great influence after their conquest of Gaul. In their cities like Lugdunum and Arles, they built roads as a means of communication and trade, amphitheaters to entertain, and aqueducts to provide clean water to the citizens. Without Roman influence, the spread of Christianity wouldn’t have progressed through Europe as smoothly. The Romans were truly ahead of their time technologically and culturally before the empire