History of France from ancient times to the XVI century

The man began to populate Europe sensible about 200 thousand years BC, but he died 30 thousand years ago, presumably during the cold weather. Around 2500 BC Central European Celts arrived and settled in Gaul (French Gaul). The Celts were the "iron" and the workers prevailed in Gaul until 125 BC, while Roman Empire beginning to dominate in the south of France. The Greeks and Phoenicians established settlements along the Mediterranean Sea, especially in the field of modern Marseilles (French Marseille). Julius Caesar (French Julius Caesar) won the part of Gaul in 57-52 BC, and it remained until the Romans not invaded by the Franks in the 5 th century AD  


 
Gaul was divided into seven provinces. The Romans were afraid of people and began to displace them in order to avoid the threat of Roman integrity. That is why many Celts were transferred out of Gaul. Many changes occurred in the course of cultural evolution in the Roman Empire, one of which is the change in the People's Gaulish Latin, the similarity between one language and another had an impact on the transition. Gaul is under the control of the Romans over the centuries. 


In the year 486, Chlodwig I (Fr. Clovis I), the leader of francs won Siagriusa with Suassone (Fr. Syagrius at Soissons), and then unite the northern and central Gallia under their rule. Christianity in France began to develop when the 496 year Chlodwig I took the Roman Catholic form of Christianity. On the one hand, the reign of Chlodwig I brought to France stability and unity, and on the other hand has led to fragmentation, as I shared Chlodwig territory as gifts and awards. 

Karl Martell (Fr. Charles Martel) was the first leader of the Carolingian Dynasty (French Carolingian dynasty) and responsible for expanding the Kingdom of francs, and stopped the Moslem invasion. Carl not only was the military leader, but he was also a great supporter of education and the arts. During the reign of Charlemagne was Revival Carolingian period, but soon after his death the kingdom was divided.  

Karl Martell 


Hugo Kapet 
 
Hugo Kapet (Fr. Hugh Capet), was elected to the throne of France, thus Carolingian dynasty ended, and started a dynasty Kapetingov. In 1066, Wilhelm (Fr. William), Duke of Normandy invaded England and was crowned as the English king at Christmas 1066. On the marriage of Eleanor, who was married to the King of France Louis VII (Fr. Louis VII) and entered into marriage with the English King Henri II (French Henry II), western France came under British dominion. 


After the death of the last King of Dynasty Kapetingov Charles IV (Fr. Charles IV), King of England Edward III ascended to the throne and started the war in the century in 1337. With the help of a French peasant girl Joan of Arc (French Joan of Arc), Charles VIII defeated and ousted the British back in Calais (Fr. Calais).  

Charles IV 


Francis I  
France became centralized state, which was established by an absolute monarchy with the doctrine of the divine right of kings and the unequivocal support of established churches. Long Italian war (1494-1559 gg.) Marked the beginning of early modern France. When Francis I (French Francis I) took Pavia, the French monarchy was forced to seek allies, and found in the Ottoman Empire. Ottoman Admiral Barbarossa (Fr. Barbarossa) conquered Nice 5 August, 1543 and handed her, Francis I. In the XVI century, the Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs (Fr. Habsburgs) were the dominant power in Europe, they have some control of the Duchy and Kingdom in Europe. Despite this, the French became the preferred language of the European aristocracy. 


At the beginning of XVI century Francis I strengthened the French crown. He also brought to France many Italian artists such as Leonardo da Vinci (French Leonardo da Vinci), who was an Italian scholars: a scientist, architect, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomy, engineer, painter, sculptor, musician and writer . Their influence has guaranteed the success of Renaissance.  

Leonardo da Vinci 


From 1562 to 1598 years have seen an increase in the number of Protestants, which led to a war of religion between Catholics and Protestants. Catherine de Medici (Fr. Catherine de Medici), the Queen of France, wife of French King Henry II, ordered the day of St.. Bartholomew massacre of hundreds of Protestants. Heinrich IV, of the Bourbon dynasty, issued the Edict of Nantes (1598), to provide religious tolerance to a Huguenot (French Protestants).