Le Mans

Le Mans (pronounced {{IPA|/l? m??/}} in French) is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. It is the préfecture (capital) of the Sarthe département. At the 1999 French census, there were 293,159 inhabitants in the metropolitan area (aire urbaine) of Le Mans, with 146,105 of these living in the city proper (commune), .

History

First mentioned by Ptolemy (Geography 2.8.8), the Roman city Vindinium was the capital of the Aulerci, a client tribe of the Aedui. Their city lay in the territory of the province of Gallia Lugdunensis. An amphitheatre built in the 3rd century CE is still visible.

Related Topics:
Ptolemy - Roman - Aedui - Gallia Lugdunensis - 3rd century

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Gregory of Tours mentions a Frankish sub-king Rigomer, who was killed by Clovis in his campaign to unite the Frankish territories.

Related Topics:
Gregory of Tours - Frankish - Clovis

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As the principal city of Maine, Le Mans was the stage for struggles in the 11th century between the counts of Anjou and the dukes of Normandy. When the Normans had control of Maine, this allowed William the Conqueror to successfully invade England; however in 1069 the citizens revolted and expelled the Normans, which led to Hugh V being proclaimed count of Maine.

Related Topics:
Maine - Anjou - Normandy - William the Conqueror - England - 1069 - Hugh V

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During World War II, Le Mans was captured by the US 5th Armored Division on August 8, 1944 following their breakout from the Normandy beachheads.

Related Topics:
World War II - US 5th Armored Division - August 8 - 1944 - Normandy beachheads

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