The area was conquered by Julius Caesar in 57–50 B.C., then was overrun by the Franks in the 5th century A.D . It was part of Charlemagne's empire in the 8th century, then in the next century was absorbed into Lotharingia and later into the duchy of Lower Lorraine.
Naging republika ang Roma mula 509 BK hanggang 27 BK. Nagtagal ang republika mula sa pagpapatalsik kay Tarquinius Superbus hanggang sa pagtatalaga kay Octavian bilang Augustus. Kaapu-apuhang lalaking pamangkin ni Julius Caesar si Octavian, na nagtagumpay laban kay Mark Antony sa isang digmaang sibil na nagdulot ng pagwawakas ng republika.