Le crocodile de la Place du Marche par Martial Raysse
Description:
The crocodile is the symbol of Nimes. In 31 BC. Octavian defeated the fleet of the Egyptian queen Cleopatra and Mark Antony, after which he became princeps of the Senate and added Augustus to his name. He immortalized his victory in Egypt on coins depicting a crocodile chained to a palm tree, and legionnaire veterans who participated in his campaigns received land around Nimes. Thus, the symbol of Okvian's victory became the coat of arms of the city.