The shores of Lake Geneva were first settled in 3000 BC. Traces of this settlement were discovered by archaeologists, who also claim that the hill of the Old Town was settled around 1000 BC. In 500 BC, the Celtic Allobroge tribe occupied the Old Town, and defended it valiantly when it was attacked by the Romans.

Around 122 BC, Rome conquered Geneva, integrating into the Roman Empire. The first written records of the city reveal the Helvetii attacking Geneva in 58 BC, and Julius Caesar driving them out. 

Because of its location on the European mid-line, Geneva was constantly attacked, conquered and re-conquered by different armies. The city became a bishopric around AD 400 and the Germanic Burgundian tribe settled in the region in AD 443. It was not until AD 534 that they were driven out by the Francs. Later, Geneva was incorporated into the Merovingian dynasty and the Carlovingian Empire, successively. After the disintegration of the Carlovingian Empire, Geneva was brought under the rule of the Second Burgundian Kingdom. In 1032, the German Empire took control of the kingdom and Geneva officially fell under German dominion. Geneva was ruled by the increasing power of its bishops, who were lords of the city from the 11th Century until the Reformation.