# Mediterranean trade expands up the Rhône (-550)

URL: https://history-france.com/timeline/-550-mediterranean-trade-expands-up-the-rhone
Location: Rhône valley

Greek wine, pottery and luxury goods moved into Celtic communities of inland Gaul. Within the broader Celtic Gaul period, Iron Age Gaul was a mosaic of peoples, towns and confederations linked by trade, warfare and religious networks. Greek and Roman contacts increasingly drew the region into Mediterranean politics. At this point in the timeline, the relevant governing authority is Gaulish tribal polities (No single ruler). Mediterranean trade expands up the Rhône mattered because it changed material life, state capacity, economic networks or France’s ability to project power. The event is positioned here so visitors can read it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion, culture and France’s wider international setting.

## Why it matters
Mediterranean trade expands up the Rhône mattered because it changed material life, state capacity, economic networks or France’s ability to project power.

Ruler at the time: [Gaulish tribal polities](https://history-france.com/rulers/gaulish-tribal-polities)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Mediterranean trade expands up the Rhône](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Mediterranean+trade+expands+up+the+Rh%C3%B4ne&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Mediterranean trade expands up the Rhône](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Mediterranean+trade+expands+up+the+Rh%C3%B4ne)
- [Wikipedia — History of France overview](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_France)