Apta Julia

About

Apta Julia is a Roman city that gave birth to Apt. Also called Apta Julia Vulgientium it was built on the territory of the Vulgients. It was part of the Albique federation, with the Albians, of the Plateau d'Albion, and the Vordenses of Gordes. This federation had made the oppidum of Perreal its capital three centuries B.C.E. This oppidum was occupied for 200 years since excavations carried out in 1951 revealed a dwelling dating from the 1st century BC. These Vulging women were trading with Massalia and the Phoceans, whose clients they had become allies and friends. A cultural and commercial mix marked this period as evidenced by the Gallic inscriptions written in Greek (Apt and Saignon) as well as Greek wine pottery discovered in Perréal.

Etymology: Charles Rostaing, a specialist in Provencal toponymy, suggests as the origin of his name a HATH ligure root corresponding to an oronym (mountain name). For several years already the etymology of Apta would finally correspond to the ancient toponym of the right place to stop. Indeed and so far no archaeological clue can confirm...