Early History
The area of Tolosa (modern-day Toulouse, France) has been inhabited since around 800 BC. It's location between the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic made it a perfect place for trade. The original inhabitants were most likely related to the Basques as was it's language. Though the population has changed many times over the years through invasion and politics, the name has remained the same.

The first Indo-European group to inhabit the area were the Volcae Tectosages who moved in from southern Germany in the 3rd century BC. Their language eventually took over the local dialect as they interbred with the earlier inhabitants. It became one of the most important Gallic cities, as well as one of the wealthiest, due to the local mining of gold and silver. In the first century BC the Romans moved into the area founding Narbo Martius, or Narbonne. The Tolosates allied themselves with the Romans - at least for awhile. Julius Caesar encamped near Tolosa in 52 BC conquering the rest of Gaul, after which Tolosa focussed on trade - and growth. Though Tolosa escaped invasion for some time, in 413 AD the Visigoths moved in and took over. Roman rule was over.