a settlement existed here as early as the 1st century bc, and this may have been of berber–punic origin. it was a simple vicus in carthaginian territory at the time of the roman emperor antoninus pius (2nd century ad). the roman politician salvius julianus is thought to have been born in the village and it may be due to him that pupput became an honorary colonia under the emperor commodus (185-192). at this time the city was probably a satellite town of its neighbour neapolis. the earliest documentary record of the city was in 168 when it was promoted to the status of a municipium governed by an elected council. it appears to have gained in importance during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, when it expanded considerably and a significant number of public monuments were built. according to an inscription preserved in the bardo national museum in tunis which was dedicated to the 4th century emperor licinius, the roman name of the city was "colonia aurelia commoda pia felix augusta pupput".