Home > History of Cologne
The History of Cologne, Germany's oldest major city, was influenced by many.1 The Romans
In 39 BC, the tribe of the Ubii enter into an agreement with the Roman forces and settle on the left bank of the Rhine. Their headquarters was Oppidum Ubiorum - the settlement of the Ubii, and at the same time an important Roman military base. In 50 AD, Agrippina the younger, the wife of the Emperor Claudius, who was born in Cologne, asked for her home village to be elevated to the status of a colonia - a city under Roman law. Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensis (A colony of Claudius and the altar of Agrippina) became the capital of the Roman province Lower Germania in 90 AD.
In 260 Postumus made Cologne the Capital of the Gallic Empire which included the German, Gallic, Britan and Spain provinces. The Gallic Empire lasted almost 20 Years.
By the 3rd century, 20,000 people lived in and around the town. A water supply was built and delivered 20,000 cubic metres of water to the city every day. In 310 AD, the Emperor Constantine had a bridge over the Rhine constructed; this was guarded by the castellum Divitia (nowadays "Deutz").
2 FranksCharlemagne or Karl der Grosse ( Charles the Great) in Frankfurt The Franks formed one of several west Germanic tribes who entered the late Roman Empire from Frisia as foederati and established a lasting realm in an area that covers part of today's France, Merovingians and Carolingians
In 355Events November 6 Julian is promoted to Caesar. For refusing to sign the condemnation of Athanasius of Alexandria, Pope Liberius is forcedly relegated to Beroea in Thrace. Felix II becomes bishop of Rome. The Franks besiege Cologne for 10 months. Births D AD, the SalianThe Salian Dynasty of the Holy Roman Empire was founded by Conrad II (c. 990 1039). The dynasty reigned from 1024- 1125. Their regnal dates as emperor are confused by the issue of election and subsequent coronation. Salian Emperors Conrad II, emperor 1027 FranksCharlemagne or Karl der Grosse ( Charles the Great) in Frankfurt The Franks formed one of several west Germanic tribes who entered the late Roman Empire from Frisia as foederati and established a lasting realm in an area that covers part of today's France besieged the town for 10 months. In 455Events June 2 Gaiseric leads the Vandals into Rome and plunder the city for two weeks. They depart with countless valuables, spoils of the Temple in Jerusalem brought to Rome by Titus, and the Empress Eudoxia and her daughters Eudocia and Placidia. July 9, they finally captured Cologne and made it their capital city.
3 The Prince-Bishops of Cologne
Cologne's first Christian bishop was Maternus . He was responsible for the construction of the first cathedral, a square building erected early in the 4th century3rd century 4th century 5th century other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 4th century was that century which lasted from 301 to 400. Events Definitive declaration of biblical canon: Council of Carthage Demotic is replaced by Gr. In 794, Hildebald (or Hildebold) was the first Bishop of Cologne to be elevated to Archbishop. Bruno I (925-965), younger brother of Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, founded several monasteries here. Subsequent Archbishops of Cologne became very influential as advisers to the Saxon, Salian and Hohenstaufen dynasties. Since 1031, they also held the office of Arch-Chancellor of Italy. Between 1159 and 1167, Rainald von Dassel was Archbishop of Cologne, as well as being Imperial Chancellor and adviser to Emperor Frederick Barbarossa......
In 1821, the Archbishopric was re-instated, and the Archbishops resided again in the city.
