Crusades-Encyclopedia

Return to Crusades-Encyclopedia

Marseilles

The city of Marseilles on the southern coast of France has a long and interesting history, not least of which is its relevance to the crusading movement. Its history begins around 2000 B.C.E. in which traces of cave dwellings have been found in the hills around the city. During the Greek period the city was founded by the Phoenicians around 600 B.C.E. The leaders of Marseilles formed an alliance with Rome during the Punic Wars, finally losing its independence in 40 B.C.E. when the city sided with Pompeii against Caesar. Caesar laid siege to Marseilles causing widespread famine and the eventual capitulation of the city to his authority. In 838 Muslims attacked the city and left it in ruins. Finally, in 1481, Marseilles was united to the Kingdom of France. During the Fourth Crusade, the city became the unexpected point of departure for many crusaders who were otherwise expected in Venice. This contributed to the financial problems of crusaders there who were heavily indebted to the Venetians and may have been the ultimate cause its diversion from Egypt to Constantinople. The narrow entrance at the Vieux Port has always been strategic to the city's defense, with Fort St. John defending the north gateway. In the Thirteenth-Century the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem took possession of the site and founded the St. Jean chapel.

Fourth Crusade- Crusades-Encyclopedia

Primary Sources of the Fourth Crusade- Crusades-Encyclopedia

Order of St. John of Jerusalem- Crusades-Encyclopedia

Arab Conquests- Crusades-Encyclopedia

(c) Andrew Holt- May 2005- Permission is granted for electronic copying and distribution in print for educational and personal use. No permission is granted for commercial use.