Geneva''s high ground was settled by the Celtic Allobroges tribe in 500 B.C., though pile dwellings from 3000 B.C., have been found along the shore of the lake. Rome took over the settlement in 58 B.C. and the town grew quickly becoming a Bishopric in 400 A.D.
The Burgundians, a Germanic tribe, settled the Geneva region in 443 but were defeated in 534 by the Francs. The land integrated with the Mervovingian dynasty, and the Carlovingian Empire until the 11th century when Geneva belonged to the 2nd Burgundian Kingdom. The Germanic Emperors got their hands on Geneva in 1032 during which it was ruled by the bishops, until the Reformation.
Geneva became an important Trading center after the famous Geneva Fairs gave the city an international reputation towards the end of the Middle Ages. The dukes of Savoy tried unsuccessfully from the 13th to the 16th century to conquer the city. In 1530 the citizens of Geneva made a pact with Bern and Fribourg to protect the city from the dukes of Savoy and were granted Independence by the dukes soon after. In 1535, after the reformation, the city of Geneva became a Republic and Calvin came to live in Geneva. Through his ideas and teachings, Geneva came to be known as ''Protestant Rome''. Geneva quickly became a sanctuary for Protestants from all over Europe. These new citizens helped to strengthen the economy, which had been in decline since the fairs lost their popularity.
In 1602 the Duke of Savoy tried to retake Geneva by attacking at night, but again was unsuccessful. There is a patriotic festival commemorating the ''Escalade'' every year on Dec 11-12. At the end of the 17th century waves of refugees arrived in Geneva creating a religious freedom still evident today. In the 18th century commerce, banking and watch making all flourished. When Geneva became a republic in 1792, the aristocrats were overthrown and there was political equality for all citizens. After being annexed by France and the defeat of Napoleon, Geneva joined the Swiss Confederation in 1815.
The Geneva Convention of 1864 outlined the first rules for soldier''s behavior during war. It also helped to create the International Committee of the Red Cross. Geneva became home to the official headquarters of the League of Nations after WWI.
