Remains of ancient Octodurus at the Pierre Gianadda Foundation Museum in Martigny, Switzerland
Remains of ancient Octodurus at the Pierre Gianadda Foundation Museum in Martigny, Switzerland. Octodurus was originally an oppidum of the Gallic Veragri tribe and was located on the route to the strategic pass of Poeninus (now known as Great St. Bernard's Pass) in the Swiss Alps. It was conquered by the Roman Republic in 57 BCE then occupied by Servius Galba and the 12th legion. While wintering there, Galba's legion was atta cked by a Gallic force of more than 30,000 warriors. Although the Battle of Octodurus is considered a Roman victory, one third of the village was destroyed during the battle and Galba burned the remainder when he retreated. Octodurus was rebuilt and during the reign of Claudius was designated a new Roman colony named Forum Claudii Augusti then renamed Forum Claudii Vallensium Octodurensium and became the capital of Vallis Poenina Province. Roman remains include an amphitheater that was restored in 1978 and the forum. The museum itself was constructed o...