Aquitani

The Aquitani were an ancient people who inhabited the region of Aquitania, located in southwestern Gaul (modern-day France), during the pre-Roman and Roman periods. Their territory was generally bounded by the Pyrenees Mountains to the south, the Garonne River to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

Culturally and linguistically, the Aquitani were distinct from the Celtic Gauls to their north. Their language, Aquitanian, is considered a precursor to the Basque language and is unrelated to the Celtic languages spoken elsewhere in Gaul. This linguistic difference is a primary marker of their separate identity.

The Aquitani engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, and likely traded with neighboring peoples. Their society was organized into tribal groups, the names of which are known from Roman sources.

Julius Caesar's campaigns in Gaul during the 1st century BCE brought the Aquitani under Roman control. Initially part of Gallia Aquitania, a larger Roman province, the region was later reorganized. Under Roman rule, Aquitania became Romanized, adopting aspects of Roman culture, administration, and language (Latin). The region prospered under Roman governance, developing urban centers and participating in the wider Roman economy. The Aquitani eventually adopted Vulgar Latin, which evolved into the Gascon language.

The Aquitani's distinct identity gradually faded as Roman influence grew, though their linguistic legacy persists in the Basque language and toponyms within the Aquitaine region. The term "Aquitaine," derived from "Aquitania," continues to be used to refer to the region in France, serving as a reminder of its ancient inhabitants.