Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization

Built into the side of the Fourviere Hill, so it blends into the landscape, the Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization overlooks the ancient Roman Amphitheater and Odeon(smaller theater for music and poetry). Located within the heart of Lugdunum (the Roman settlement that later would become known as Lyon), the museum chronicles five centuries of the city’s history while under Rome’s influence.
This museum houses a number of unique artifacts, such as;
“LYON TABLET” - an ancient bronze slab (discovered in 1528 in a vineyard on the Croix-Rousse Hill) that bears Emperor Claudius’ speech before the Roman Senate in 48 AD . On this tablet was a proposal to allow landed citizens from Gaul to enter the Senatorial Class once they had reached a specified level of wealth.

Claudius reportedly gave this speech to the Roman Senate in 48 AD. Experts state that the tablet gives tremendous insight into the relationship between the Emperor and the Senate. It also includes responses from some of the Senators.

“THE CIRCUS GAMES MOSAIC” - a second century floor mosaic depicting a chariot race. Discovered in 1806 by workers digging a reservoir, it was acquired by the city government in 1813. The mosaic depicts eight chariots competing around a track barrier filled with water.

Throughout the empire of Rome, daily chariot races provided entertainment for the citizenry. According to documents, the races included seven laps around the track with spectators betting on which chariot would win.

“THE COLIGNY CALENDAR - also dating from the second century, depicts a five-year cycle of the moon and sun phases written in the Gaulish language. It is considered to be the finest example of an ancient pre-Christian system of timekeeping.

Discovered in 1897, this five foot wide, 3.5 foot high bronze calendar was broken into 73 pieces.

A closer look at a segment of the calendar- Evidence exists that this had been banned by the Romans because of its ties to Druidic practices.

​“MOSAIC OF BACCHUS - this mosaic is thought to date from the end of the second century to the beginning of the third century and was part of a dining room decoration in ancient Lugdunum (Lyon). It depicts the Roman god of wine and the theater.

Officially called the Mosaic of Bacchus (Dionysus in Greek mythology) and the Four Seasons, it’s center depicts Bacchus laying on a panther as if it were a couch at a banquet.

“TAUROBOLIC ALTAR” - during 1704, this altar, which refers to the practice of sacrificing a bull, was discovered in a vineyard on the Fourviere Hill.. It dates to circa 160 and is thought to be connected to those who worshiped “The Great Mother of the Gods.”

Some archeological experts believe that this altar was created in an effort to restore the health of the emporer Antonines Pius.

“SVASTIKA MOSAIC” - this floor mosaic depicts ancient religious iconography (from Sanskrit meaning “ ...conducive to well being”) thought to symbolize divinity and spirituality. Sanskrit is one of the oldest known languages in the world - forming the base for many European languages - and is still one of India’s official languages.

This intricate and massive floor mosaic is hard to miss.

While the Swastika icon can be dated to ancient Hindu scriptures from India 5000 years ago, the Nazi’s perverted its use as their national symbol during World War II.

Opened in 1975, the Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization is considered to house one of the finest archeological collections in all of France. Because of its close proximity to the Basilica of Notre-Dame (just a block or two away) and next to the Roman Amphitheater and Odeon, visitors can easily spend two-to-three days exploring the Fourviere Hill location of ancient Lugdunum (aka Lyon).

The two black squares in the center of this photo (which was taken from the top of the large Roman amphitheater) are the windows of the subterranean Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization, indicating how architects of the museum blended it into the landscape.