Autun is a town in the Saône-et-Loire département in Burgundy, France, and has a history which dates back to Roman times.

History

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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.

Sights

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The city boasts ancient Roman gates and other ruins dating to the time of Augustus (Augustodonum).

Autun has a major Romanesque cathedral dating from the eleventh and twelfth centuries, which was formerly the chapel of the Dukes of Burgundy; their palace was the actual episcopal residence. ^*,^*]

Other notable connections

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• Honorius of Autun (died c. 1151)
• Nivelon I (d. 768) was known as Count of Autun
• In the late 8th 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

Sister Cities

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Autun has sister city relationships with:

• Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
• Stevenage, England
• Kawagoë, Japan
• Aravelo, Spain

See also

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• Bishopric of Autun

Sources and external links

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• Visiting Autun (tourist map and photos)
• Westermann, Großer Atlas zur Weltgeschichte (in German)

Archaeological sites in France | Roman towns and cities in Burgundy | Romanesque sites of Burgundy | Communes of Saône-et-Loire

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