Rodez 's a city and commune in southern France, in the Aveyron department, of which it's the capital. Its inhabitants are called Ruthenois. History Existing from at least the 5th century BC, Rodez was founded by the Celts. After the Roman occupation, the oppidum (fortified place) was renamed Segodunum, while in late Imperial times it was known as Civitas Rutenorum, whence the modern name. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was captured by the Visigoths and then by the Franks, being… (More on Rodez)