Porte de Mars — When Reims Was Durocortorum
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Transcript
This enormous Roman arch is a reminder that Reims mattered long before French kings came here to be crowned. The Roman city was called Durocortorum, capital of the Remi people and an important centre in Gallia Belgica.
The Porte de Mars dates from the third century. Its four passageways and sculpted decoration made it more than a gate: it was a statement of urban status. The later name “Mars” reflects local tradition rather than a surviving Roman label.
The scale matters. A city capable of building monumental arches, roads and public spaces was announcing that it belonged to the Roman political and commercial world. Reims therefore begins with location, roads and administration. The coronation city inherited a much older habit of regional importance.