Historical Background

Geneva is, and always was, an international city. Marauding barbarians, Roman conquerors, exiled religious leaders, immigrant workers and refugees have left their traces on the area. Some visitors, such as the Duke of Savoy, came with swords and were repelled, as described in the novel mentioned above (the annual Escalade event in the old city commemorates this). Politicians with the horrors of the First World War fresh in their minds arrived to establish the League of Nations (now the United Nations). Krystof Kieslowski, the late Polish film director, came with cameras to shoot The Double Life of Veronique and Three Colors: Red.

Visitors have a tendency to pass through the city without discovering the richness of its past. Those willing to dig deeper will find 2000 years of fascinating history.

Evidence of human settlement in the Geneva area dates back to about 3000BC. However, it was not until 500BC that the Allobroges—a tribe of Celtic origin, established a permanent village in what is now the Old City.

The first written reference to Geneva appears in Julius Caesar's comments about the Gallic wars (De Bello Gallico), which detail the Roman army's victory over an advancing Helvetii tribe in 58 BC. Romans had occupied the town (known as Genua), having driven the Celts out in about 120 BC. The town continued to flourish over the following centuries and, at the height of the Roman Empire, a bishopric was created, commanding a large diocese (400 AD).

The following six centuries can be best described as a period of "chaotic fermentation" with several migrating tribes controlling the city in the wake of the collapse of the Roman Empire. Throughout this time, the area gradually gained stature as an independent territory, resistant to the imperialistic intentions of threatening kingdoms.

By the Middle Ages Geneva had developed into an internationally recognized trade center. Wealth generated from the fairs held in the city naturally attracted attention from nearby aristocracy, seeking a piece of the action. From the 13th to the 17th century, the princes of Savoy attempted and failed to control the city's autonomy. At crucial moments, however, Geneva found allies in the Swiss cantons of Bern and Fribourg.

Geneva was declared a republic in 1535 and, shortly afterwards, Jean Calvin arrived to guide the city's religious and intellectual forces. Persecuted Protestants from Italy and France found sanctuary in the city. Following Louis XIV's revocation of Protestantism in 1685, Geneva witnessed another huge wave of refuge seekers. The massive influx created a boom for the city and the famously important watchmaking and banking industries were established.

The Reformation was also responsible for creating Geneva's motto: "Post Tenebras Lux" (after darkness, the light). In the context of Calvinism, the biblical references are all too clear.

Social problems and unease with the regime governing the city throughout the latter part of the 18th century brought revolution in 1792. Political tolerance was proclaimed, though this was short lived as Geneva was annexed by Napoleonic France in 1798 and made the administrative center of the Department of Léman.

Following the defeat of Napoleon in 1813, Geneva regained its freedom. Aware that it was vulnerable to foreign attack, Restoration leaders applied for the city to join the Swiss Confederation. This was granted in 1815. In the same year, participants at the Congress of Vienna officially recognized Switzerland's permanent neutrality.

In 1846, James Fazy led a revolution to overthrow the Restoration leaders and, subsequently, established the constitution now honored in the canton of Geneva.

The first of the international organizations now so prominent in Geneva was set up in 1864 (the International Committee of the Red Cross). Other organizations in the city include the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN).

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