City (pop., 1999: 50,453), southeastern France.
Occupied and built up by the Romans in the 1st century BC, Arles became, through commerce, a leading city of the Roman Empire . In the 10th century AD it became the capital of Burgundy , known also as the kingdom of Arles. Portions of the Roman wall around the old town remain, and a Roman arena of the 1st century BC is still used for bullfights and plays. The city was home to Vincent van Gogh during one of his most productive periods. Arles is still a river port, but its economy is based largely on tourism and agriculture.