Editing Lourdes (section)

===Antiquity===
The current municipal area of Lourdes was inhabited in [[prehistoric]] times. In [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] times, from the first century BC, it was an [[oppidum]] hill on the site of the present-day [[fortress]], as shown by the numerous archaeological finds after the demolition of the parish of Saint-Pierre in the early twentieth century: remains of walls, fragments of a citadel, a pagan temple dedicated to the [[gods of water]], and three votive altars.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} In the fifth century, the temple was replaced by an early Christian church, which later burned down, with a [[necropolis]] nearby. A Roman road along with a possible crossing path connecting the [[Pyrenees|Pyrenean]] piedmont with [[Gallia Narbonensis|Narbonne]] suggest that the town could be the ''quell'oppidum novum'' fortress mentioned in the [[Antonine Itinerary]].{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

From 732 to 778, Lourdes was occupied by Muslims of [[Al-Andalus]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=Hugh Ross Williamson |title=The Challenge of Bernadette |date=2006 |publisher=Gracewing Publishing |isbn=9780852446492 |edition=reprint |pages=19–20}}</ref> Mirat, the Muslim local leader, came under siege by [[Charlemagne]], King of the Franks, but the Moor refused to surrender.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} According to legend, a passing eagle dropped a huge trout at Mirat's feet. Dismayed by this omen, Mirat was urged to surrender to the [[Queen of Heaven]] by the local bishop. He visited the [[Black Madonna|Black Virgin]] of Puy, and was so astounded by the icon's exceptional beauty that he decided to surrender the fort and convert to [[Christianity]]. He was baptised with the name ''Lorus'', which was given to the town as Lourdes.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}