Massalia (Marseille)

Massalia, or Massilia, the ancient name for the modern city of Marseille, now the second largest city in France. The city was located on the coast of the Gulf of Lion, in the Provence region, or in Roman times, the region was called Provincia (which is where Provençal came from), and then later still, Gallia Narbonensis.

Massalia was founded in the 7th century BC by the Phocaean Greeks from Asia Minor. During the classical period, Massalia resided in a region of what is called Liguria. It remained an independent city until Julius Caesar captured Massalia.

According to Apollodorus, Heracles passed through Abderia and was near Massalia when he was attacked by Ialebion and Dercynos, both sons of Poseidon. They tried to rob the hero's cattle, which Heracles had captured after killing the owner Geryon, in his 10th labour.