Tucked alongside the Rhine River in the old West Germany and with a documented history dating back over 2,000 years, Cologne is home to just under 4 million people, making it the fourth most populous city in Germany. While it’s a bustling city where classic gothic architecture clashes with contemporary cultural landmarks, Cologne’s standing in ancient history is of particular interest. The first official written source of this land dates back to around 50 BC, and is attributed to infamous Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. Back then, the western bank of the Rhine River was an important frontier, where Caesar’s invading armies jostled for power with the local Germanic tribes, predominantly the Eburones and the Ubii.