Ground plan of Autun ( France). Situated in Saone-et-Loire (Burgundy) on the river Arrow,
Autun was created in 10 BC by the Roman emperor Augustus (whence its name
Augusturum). The prosperous Gallo-Roman town, though playing no significant military
role, was fitted with fortifications which enhanced its prestige and wealth. Enclosing a
surface of 200 hectares, these fortifications were composed of a crenellated wall 6 km in
perimeter, 2.5 m thick and 11 m high including 52 high half-circular towers, four main
gates and six secondary posterns. Autun was ravaged by the Vandals, by the Franks in
674, by the Moors in 731, and by the Norsemen in 895. During the invasions, the town
was in full decay, abandoned and reduced to a small fortified castrum on the southern
hill. In the 12th century it became again a prosperous city which was enlarged and fortified
with an enceinte and a circular donjon called the Tour (tower) Saint-Leger (or Tour des
Ursulines). The ground plan shows the Roman fortifications (AA) in the 1st century with
the Arroux gate (1), the Saint-Andrea gate (2), the theater (3), the Rome gate (4). (B) is
the 6th century castrum with the Saint-Lazare cathedral and the episcopal residence.
(CC) is the medieval enceinte from the 12th century with the Ursulines dungeon (5) and
the Saint-Andoche gate (6). Note that the medieval city, though prosperous and protected
by the dukes of Burgundy, was much smaller than the ancient Roman town.