The Greeks in pre-Roman Gaul have a significant history of settlement, trade, cultural influence, and armed conflict in the Celtic territory of Gaul (modern France), starting from the 6th century BCE during the Greek Archaic period. Following the founding of the major trading post of Massalia in 600 BCE by the Phocaeans at present day Marseille, Massalians had a complex history of interaction with peoples of the region.