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قراءة كتاب Rheims and the Battles for its Possession
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ILLUSTRATED MICHELIN GUIDES
TO THE BATTLE-FIELDS (1914-1918)
RHEIMS
AND THE BATTLES FOR ITS POSSESSION.
MICHELIN TYRE Co. Ltd., 81, Fulham Road, LONDON, S.W.
MICHELIN TIRE Co., MILLTOWN, N.J., U.S.A.
what a
Good Road Map
is if you haven't used the
Michelin Map
(Scale - 1:200,000)
(3.15 miles to the inch).
On sale
at Michelin
stockists
and
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The tourist finds his way about easily in town, if he has a plan giving the names of the streets.
He gets about with the same ease and certainty on the road, if he has a Michelin map, because it gives all the road numbers on the milestones and road-signs.
The Michelin Wheel is practical and strong
The Michelin Wheel is simple and smartTHE "TOURING CLUB DE FRANCE."
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OF THE MICHELIN EMPLOYEES
AND WORKMEN WHO DIED GLORIOUSLY
FOR THEIR COUNTRY.
RHEIMS
AND THE BATTLES FOR ITS POSSESSION.
MICHELIN & Cie
Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Copyright by Michelin & Cie. 1919.
All rights of translation, adaptation, or reproduction (in part or whole) reserved
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On July 6th, 1919, the President of the French Republic conferred the Croix de la Légion d'Honneur on Rheims (fastening it personally on the City Arms), with the following "citation":—
"Martyred city, destroyed by an infuriated enemy, powerless to hold it.
"Sublime population who, like the Municipal Authorities—models of devotion to duty and despising all danger—gave proof of magnificent courage, by remaining more than three years under the constant menace of the enemy's attacks, and by leaving their homes only when ordered to do so.
"Inspired by the example of the heroic French maid of venerated memory, whose statue stands in the heart of the city, showed unshakeable faith in the future of France (Croix de Guerre).
RHEIMS, AS SEEN FROM THE GERMAN LINES(Photograph found on a German prisoner)
RHEIMS
POLITICAL HISTORY
Rheims is one of the oldest towns in France, so old that legendary accounts, in an endeavour to outdo one another, carry back its foundation sometimes to 1440 B.C. after the Flood, sometimes to the siege of Troy. Lying at the intersection of the natural routes between Belgium and Burgundy, and between the Parisian basin and Lorraine, i.e. between political districts that long remained different in character, and regions having different commercial resources, it was at one and the same time the "oppidum" and market-town. Its military and commercial position destined it early to be a great city.
It probably takes its name from the tribe of the Remi, who occupied almost the whole territory now forming the "départements" of the Marne and the Ardennes, and who were clients of the Suessiones (Soissons) before the Roman conquest. It was already a prosperous town, under the name of "Durocortorum," when Cæsar conquered Gaul. It freed itself from the yoke of the Suessiones by accepting the Roman domination. When the Belgians revolted in 57 B.C., the Remi remained faithful to Cæsar and received the title of "friends of the Roman people." Neither did they take any part in the general revolt of Gaul in 52 B.C. Under the Empire, Rheims was, with Trèves, one of the great centres of Latin culture in "Gallia Belgica." On becoming a federated city, it retained its institutions and senate. A favourite residence of the Roman Governors, Rheims was embellished with sumptuous villas and magnificent monuments, and soon became one of the most prosperous towns in Gaul. At the beginning of the Germanic invasions Rheims drew in its borders and became a military town. Under Diocletian it was the capital of Belgica Secunda.
According to tradition, Christianity was first preached in Rheims by St. Sixtus and St. Sinirus, the first bishops of the city. However that may be, Christianity was firmly established there as early as the 3rd century. A bishop of Rheims was present at the Council of Arles in 314. The conversion of several great Roman personages (amongst others, the Consul Jovinus—see p. 118) favoured the progress of the Christian religion.
In the 5th century, when Rome, otherwise occupied, was unable to hold back the barbarians, invasions interfered with the development of the city. The Frankish conquest marked the beginning of a new period of prosperity. In 486, after