Alise-Sainte-Reine is located some 17 km southeast ofMontbard and 50 km northwest ofDijon. The D905 fromVenarey-les-Laumes toPosanges in the south passes through the western part of the commune. Access to the village however is on the D103, D103J, and D103T from Venarey-les-Laumes in the west which continues east to join the D10 road. Apart from the village the commune consists of farmland with some forest and a horse racing track in the west.[3]
TheOzerain river forms most of the southern border of the commune and flows west to join theBrenne west of the commune.[3]
Because of its identification withAlesia the origin of the name of Alise-Sainte-Reine has been the subject of numerous studies. Several ideas have been proposed for a root of*alis and three proposals have attracted the attention of linguists and toponymists:
alisier (Sorbus aria) (a tree originating from Southern Europe),
These points were confirmed by Jacques Lacroix[5] in his study of the god of Alise:Alisanos.[6]
Research onalisier remains largely unfinished despite numerous attempts to develop the subject.[7][8]
The theme of the oronym *alis or *ales meaning "rocky height" is the one that is currently most frequently put forward to explain the name of Alesia. It is from an Indo-European root *palis or *pales, the initial [p] became silent in Celtic, while on the contrary it remains in Latin place names such asPalatinus (Palatine Hill) for example. InGermanic the Indo-European [p] was mute [f] which gives *falisa in lowerOld Frankish,felisa inOld High German or the GermanFels meaning "rock".[9][10][11][12] A number of researchers also believe that the term may be suitable for a site in Alise-Sainte-Reine that has cliffs.
The explanation of ahydronym was mentioned early - in 1901Camille Jullian said that the name ofAlise derived from the spring in the heart of the village and which was very famous until the early 20th century.[13] It recurred in 1908 by breaking the radical *Alis into two themesAL +IS.[14]
In 1956 Paul Lebel did not resume this juxtaposition of the two hydronymic themes, he proposed instead for some rivers the prototype *alisa from the post-Celtic period, which is why in the case of Alesia, he ultimately opted for theoronym.[15]
In 1990 the study of the etymology of the name of Alesia was taken over by Marianne Mulon.[16] She wrote that the oronymic and the hydronymic proposals were both "reasonable".[17] The same year Ernest Nègre in hisGeneral toponymy of France, vol 1, explained the name of Alise-Sainte-Reine as pre-Celtic *alis + Gallic Suffix-ia and he indicated that it is a derivative from a designation of a spring.[18] In 1995 the historian Francis Lassus and linguist Gerard Taverdet annotate the study by Ernest Nègre stating that his explanation by hydronym is legitimate because of the thermal spring present at Alise.[19] In 2007 Gerard Taverdet stated that this spring has been the subject of numerous pilgrimages while being exploited for therapy.[20]
In 2010 Stephane Gendron, another toponymist, posed the question: is it from the root *ales designating a mountain or the root *alis designating the spring? He adds, however, that the village has a mineral source and a sanctuary with a Gallic bathhouse with a therapeutic function.[21][22]
The healing waters site were undoubtedly famous since Celtic times. In the modern era the trade inmineral water from Alise went beyond the borders of Burgundy and even extended toEurope which lasted until the early 20th century.[23] The sanctuary was very large and it was dedicated toApollo Moritasgus.[24][25] Jacques Lacroix said that this deity was associated with the healing waters with the first part of its nameMori- designating the sea or water as inare-morica (Armorique) or in the maritime tribe of theMorini.[26]
During the revolutionary period of theNational Convention (1792-1795), the commune bore the names ofAlise andPetite-Alise.[27]
Alise is strongly reminiscent ofAlesia and it is perhaps no coincidence since the town lies at the foot of Mont Auxois and the Gallicoppidum attested by excavations and a likely archaeological site, although still contested by some, of the ancient fortress defended byVercingetorix.
Sainte-Reine is directly derived from the name of the Christian martyrSainte Reine who was beheaded at this place in 252 AD and who is the commune's patron saint.
The common symbol to represent the town is the statue of Vercingetorix erected by the orders ofNapoleon III to show the strength ofGaul.
The identification of Alesia with Alise is based on a now considerable amount of archaeological and historical research:
Alise is the oldest site identified with Alesia. The identification had already been made in theCarolingian period.
The text ofDio Cassius placing Alesia in territory of theSequani was written long after the siege and may be incorrect: its value as a source cannot be placed above the text of Caesar or the text ofStrabo, which placed Alesia closer toArvernes. Although the remarks ofDiodorus of Sicily on Alesia are not as late as Dion, their value should not be exaggerated and cannot fully guide a search. Didorus was concerned not only with the location of the site but also with its religious character.
Theoppidum on Mount Auxois at Alise first revealed Gallo-Roman constructions from after the battle. But its Gallic levels are now known to be contemporary with the Gallic Wars and have been so identified without any doubt.
A Gallic inscription from the first century c.e. in Latin characters[28][29][30] from the Roman era is assuredly the name of the place:Alisiia, an identification of the Gallic form of the name with the Latin formAlesia, is explained by the phonology of the short vowels /e/ and /i/ in Gallic.[31][32] The inscription reads:
MARTIALIS DANNOTALI IEVRV VCVETE SOSIN CELICNON
ETIC GOBEDBI DVGIIONTIIO VCVETIN INALISII
"Martialis [son] of Dannotalos offered to [the god] Ucuetis this edifice,
and to the smiths who honour (?) Ucuetis inAlisia"[33]
Excavations in the reign ofNapoleon III identified clear traces of Roman siege works. Long criticized, their value has been confirmed by excavations in the 1990s by a Franco-German team. The Roman temporary fortifications that were found are consistent with Caesar's text, even if they show that Caesar sometimes generalized his descriptions. Excavations demonstrated the ability of the Romans to adapt their equipment to the terrain.
Coins found in the 19th century were authenticated by recent scientific studies including those of Jean-Baptiste Colbert de Beaulieu and new discoveries made in the 1990s. The large number of Roman coins is easily explained by the presence of Caesar's legions. The great diversity of Gallic coins with significantArvernian sets including coins ofVercingetorix, theAedui and theSequani, can only be explained by the presence of coalition troops.
The discovery, during recent excavations in one of the Roman camps, of a sling shot with the name of Caesar's lieutenantLabienus, leaves no possible doubt that the fortification works are from Caesar's army and date from theGallic War.
The series of archaeological aerial photographs taken since 1959 show evidence of continuous lines of ditches corresponding to themilitary investments of the siege of Alesia.[34]
Given these facts, a consensus on the location of the battle has been reached by professional historians and archaeologists in France and abroad (where the controversy was not as great). However, associations and individuals continue to put forward alternative hypotheses.[35]
TheSainte-Reine Hospital (1659).[40][41] The hospital contains a very large number of items which are registered as historical objects.[40][41]
TheAncient site of Alesia (1st century).[42] TheMuséoParc Alésia (on the site of theBattle of Alesia) has anoppidum and the remains of a Gallo-Roman city.[43] On 26 March 2012 the "interpretation centre" was opened to the public and aims to attract 150,000 visitors a year.[44]
Thearchaeological site of Alesia was not abandoned following the siege of Alesia. Recent excavations have unearthed the ruins of buildings that reflect theromanization of the site. There is atheatre to the northwest, which was a feature of Roman Gaul. It has acavea in the shape of a semi-circle, in which the audience sat on wooden bleachers that have disappeared over time. The actors appeared in the orchestra. The capacity of the theatre is estimated to have been 5,000 seats, which is low compared to the theatre atAutun (20,000 seats). The circular wall of thecavea measures 81 metres. To the east of the theatre stood atemple which was commonly used in Gallo-Roman cities for both religion and entertainment. Thecella of this temple stood on apodium similar to theMaison Carree inNimes. Modest in size, it was opened up in accordance with the requirements of worship. Its facade had four columns of which nothing remains today.
Archaeologists believe that this temple, which is surrounded by a wall built in the 2nd century AD, was dedicated toTaranis orJupiter. The objects found at the site and kept at the Alesia Museum reflect the emergence of the cult ofCybele in the 3rd and 4th centuries.
Next to the temple abasilica served the political and judicial functions of the city. TheCuria andcourts held meetings in this type of building. The affairs of the city were also discussed in the public square: theforum. It was lined with shops and served as a meeting place for the city's inhabitants. There is a monument to the north of the forum that is said to be of Ucuetis, headquarters of the corporation ofbronziers. It also served as a shrine to honour the godsBergusia andUcuetis.
Reconstruction of the Roman contravallation of the battle of Alesia.
TheChapel and Fountain of Sainte-Reine (1498).[47] The chapel contains a very large number of items which are registered as historical objects.[47]
Other religious sites of interest
TheChurch of Saint-Léger partly dates from as early as the 7th century.
ATemple at Croix-Saint-Charles, has remains of columns, an octagonal sanctuary with its annexes and trenches indicating a surrounding wall, and unidentified quadrangular buildings.[48][49]
^Albert Dauzat, Gaston Deslandes andCharles Rostaing,Etymological Dictionary of names of rivers and mountains in France, Klincksieck, Paris, 1978, pp. 5 and 8.(in French)
^Jacques Lacroix,The Names of Gallic Origin. Gallic Gods, vol 3, Errance, Paris, 2007, pp. 37 and 38.(in French)
^On theTheonym see also: Pierre-Yves LambertThe Gallic Language: Linguistic description, commentary on selected inscriptions, Errance, Paris, 2003, p. 105, pp. 137 and 138.
^François Lassus and Gérard Taverdet,Place names of Franche-Comté, introduction to their toponymy, Bonneton, 1995, p. 153: the authors highlighted, on the subject of the root *alisa, that the discussion is lively among linguists.
^Xavier Delamarre,Dictionary of the Gallic language: a linguistic approach to continental old-Celtic, Paris, Errance, 2003, p. 39.(in French)
^Gérard Taverdet,The placenames of Burgundy. Bonneton, 2007, p. 25.(in French)
^Jacques Lacroix, preface by Venceslas Kruta,Names of Gallic Origin. Gallic Fighters, vol 1, Paris, Errance, 2003, p. 125.(in French)
^Contribution by Marianne Mulon in André Berthier, André Wartelle,Alésia, Paris Nouv. Éd. Latines, 1990, p. 290.(in French)
^Camille Jullian,Gallo-roman notes on Alésia in the Review of Ancient studies, 1901 p.140, also:The name of Alésia in pro Alésia 1, 1907-1908, pp. 241 and 242.(in French)
^IS is a well known hydronymic theme which is notably found in the name of theIsère and theOise.
^Paul Lebel,Principles and Methods of French hydronymy, Paris, 1956, 207-209 and p. 306 note 1.
^Theme also taken over by Xavier Delamarre, op. cit, p. 39:Alisia and its derivatives Alisontia, Alisincum etc., found in numerous toponyms and hydronyms in Gaul.(in French)
^Ernest Nègre,General Toponymy of France, vol 1, Geneva, 1990§ 1016 root *Alis, 22-27. See also:Alisia as a designation of a spring.The hydronym Alzonne in France in Festschrift für Johannes hubschmid zum 65. Geburtstag, 1982, p. 627. (German)
^François Lassus and Gérard Taverdet,op. cit, p. 35.(in French)
^The Grammarian Consentius attested that the Gallic pronunciatione andi are similar. See P.-M. Duval,Gaul towards the middle of the 5th century, Paris, 1971, p. 774.(in French)
^P.-Y. Lambert,The Gallic language, Paris, 2003, p. 43. with the example of Alesia.(in French)
^Sims-Williams, P. "Celtic" inThe Indo-European Languages by Mate Kapović (Editor), Routledge, 2017. p.361
^Archaeology Archives,Alésia, How a Gallic oppidum is entered in history, No. 305, July–August 2005.A textbook case for aerial photography, pp. 46-55.(in French)
^See:Battle of Alesia for a bibliography on the battle and the development on the controversy about its location.
André Berthier, André Wartelle,Alésia, Nouv. Éd. Latines, Paris, 1990(in French)
Albert Dauzat, Gaston Deslandes, and Charles Rostaing,Etymological Dictionary of the names of rivers and mountains in France, Klincksieck, Paris, 1978.(in French)
Xavier Delamarre,Dictionary of the Gallic language: A linguistic approach to continental Old Celtic, Errance, Paris, 2003(in French)
Camille Jullian,Notes on Gallo-roman Alésia, Review of Ancient Studies, 1901, p. 140.(in French)
Camille Jullian,The name of Alésia in pro Alésia 1, 1907-1908, p. 241.(in French)
Jacques Lacroix, pref. V. Kruta,Names of gallic Origin. Fighting Gaul, vol 1, Errance, Paris, 2003(in French)
Jacques Lacroix,Names of Gallic Origin. The Gaul of Gods, vol 3, Errance, Paris, 2007.(in French)
Pierre-Yves Lambert,The Gallic language: linguistic description, commentary on selected inscriptions, Errance, Paris, 2003(in French)
François Lassus and Gérard Taverdet,Place names of Franche-Comté. Introduction to the toponymy, Bonneton, 1995(in French)
Paul Lebel,Principles and Methods of French hydronymy, Paris, 1956.(in French)
Joël Le Gall,Alésia. Archeology and history, Fayard, Paris, 1963(in French)
Ernest Nègre,Alisia qui a dû désigner d'abord la source. The hydronym Alzonne in France, dans Otto Winkelmann, Maria Braisch,Festschrift für Johannes Hubschmid zum 65. Geburtstag. Beiträge zur allgemeines, indogermanischen and romanischen Sprachwissenschaft, Bern-Munich, Francke, 1982, p. 627. (German)
Ernest Nègre,General Toponymy of France, vol, 1, Geneva, 1990(in French)
Michel Reddé,Alésia. Archeology against Imagination, Paris, 2003(in French)
Gérard Taverdet,Place names of Burgundy, Bonneton, 2007(in French)
[39] was commissioned by EmperorNapoleon III from the sculptorAimé Millet and installed in 1865 on Mont Auxois.
