Autun

Autun (Lat. Augustodunum), an ancient town in the department of Saone and Loire, France, picturesquely situated on the river Arroux at the foot of a lofty wooded range, 28 miles from Chalons. Its origin was traced to the Phocaeans, and Caesar mentions the place as Bibracte, capital of the AEdui, and its present name was derived from Augustus. It enjoyed in early times a distinctive constitution, and later was celebrated for its school of rhetoric. It was the scene of the rising of Sacrovir; was captured and destroyed by Tetricus; Constantine rebuilt it, and in the 8th and 9th centuries it was sacked by the Saracens and Norsemen successively. It then became part of the duchy of Burgundy. Talleyrand was bishop, and Marshal Macmahon was born here. It contains a handsome cathedral, and in St. Martin's church the body of Brunehaut or Brunehilda lies buried. There are interesting Roman remains, some manufactories of carpets, hosiery, etc., and a trade in agricultural produce.