Compiègne is a commune in the Oise department, in Picardy. It is also one of its sub-prefectures. The history of the city goes back to Roman times. In those times, there was a river crossing of the Oise River. The river was called Isara at the time. On the outskirts of the modern city, roman houses (villae) were found. Today, about 40.000 people live in the city and about 97.000 in its urban area.