Limonum Pictonum(or Lemonum Pictonum) At one time Pictavi(s) (Poitiers). An inland city of western Gaul (France) . Occupying the slopes of a steep rock spur between the valleys of the river Clain and its tributary the Boivre, it commands the ‘Gate of Poitou,’ a forty-four mile gap between the Massif Central and the Massif Armoricain, thus providing a channel of communications between the north and south of the country. Originally named Limonum or Lemonum, in the fourth century BC, the place took the name of Pictavi(s), having become the chief city of the Celtic tribe of the Pictones (or Pictavi), whose territory must have extended to the Bay of Biscay, because in 56 Julius Caesar commandeered their ships. In 52 some of the Pictones supported theu prising of Vercingetorix against him, and in the following year the leader of their pro-Roman party Duratius was besieged by a large nationalist Gallic force under Dumnacus, leader of the Andes (Andecavi); but Dumnacus was completely defeated and compelled to retire.

Subsequently Limonum became a road junction in the Roman province of Aquitania and prospered from the sale of wine, oil, and fish, the construction of ships, and the mining of silver-bearing lead at Melle (Deux Sevres). The town was sacked by German invaders in 276. In the later empire it belonged to Aquitania Secunda, and resumed the name of Pictavi. The prominent anti-Arian leader St. Hilarious (d. 357) became its bishop. His disciple St. Martin of Tours inaugurated regular western monasticism by founding a community of hermits at Liguge, south of Pictavi (360), and another, the Monasterium Majus (Marmoutier), on the outskirts of the city (372). After passing into the hands of the Visigoths, Pictavi became a Frankish possession following the victory of Clovis at Vouille nearby (507).

Parts of the amphitheater, one of the largest in Gaul, have survived, in addition to sections of three aqueducts that provided an ample supply of water. The larger of two public baths displays lavish marble, stucco and mosaic embellishment. Dedications reveal the existence of a temple of the Celtic god Adsmerius, equated with Mercury. Portions of a powerful rampart built after the raid of 276, and equipped with circular towers, can still be seen. In the Baptistery of S. Jean, described as the oldest building of Christian Gaul, the font and the lower levels of the walls are of fourth-century date.