The origins of Strasbourg, located on an island of the river ill, dates from 12 BC, when a Roman military settlement called Argentoratum was established. In 496 the site was taken by the Franks, under Clovis, and a city emerged called Strateburgum or "city of roads". In 1176 the construction of the current cathedral started. In 1262 Strasbourg became a Free City of the Holy Roman Empire, becoming again part of France in 1681. Strasbourg has been successively part of Germany and part of France. Strasbourg has currently several European institutions like the Council of Europe and the European Parliament.