Artesia

Artesia is the historical Latin and Spanish name of Artois in northern France. The name ultimately derived from the Belgic tribe the Atrebates. The county gave its name to Artesian wells, which were drilled there since the 12th century. Artesia may also refer to:

Places

Companies

Other

Artesia (comics)

Artesia is an epic fantasy comic book series authored and illustrated by American artist Mark Smylie. Artesia is also the name of the heroine of the cycle. Smylie has described her as a "Pagan Joan of Arc", to use a popular reference, while noting that the closest historical model is the Irish Queen Medb. Themes in the series include feudal politics, intrigue, and power struggles, complex mythology and world history, and strong female characters.

Currently the series is composed of four "books": Artesia, Artesia Afield, Artesia Afire and Artesia Besieged. Each book is composed of six episodes, or fairly American standard comic book-sized episodes. Each book has been followed by an annual compendium including short stories and details of the history, geography and mythology of Artesia's universe. The books together constitute part of a cycle called The Book of Dooms. Smylie has said that it would take 22 books to tell Artesia's story in full, but that at least 7 will be completed "hell or high water".

Artesia (railways)

TGV Artesia was a service branding and joint venture between France and Italy from 1995 to 2011.

Operation

Trains were staffed by Trenitalia in Italy and SNCF in France. The bar/restaurant service was operated by Cremonini. Between 2007 and 2011, routes include service between Paris Gare de Lyon and Paris-Bercy to Turin, Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, and intermediate cities. Service to Milan operated via both Dijon (Vallorbe-Simplon line) and Lyon/Turin, while Venice, Florence, and Rome were only served through Dijon. Trains traveling through Dijon were night trains; those traveling through Lyon and Turin were day trains.

Artesia stopped operating on 14 November 2011 since SNCF took a 20% stake in Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori, which is Trenitalia's main competitor. Trenitalia then continues to operate night service with Veolia Transdev in a new joint venture called Thello ; and SNCF continues to operate day TGV between Paris, Turin and Milan.

Named trains

Artesia's regular services included the historic daily Paris to Rome service, the Palatino Express. This train, whose history may be traced back to 1890, ceased one month after the closure of Artesia in December 2011.