since ancient times there have been indications of a relationship between southwestern france and the basques. during the roman conquest of gaul by julius caesar, aquitania was the territory between the garonne and the pyrenees. it was inhabited by tribes of horsemen who caesar said were very distinct in customs and language from the celts of gaul. during the middle ages, this territory was named "gascony", derived from "vasconia" and cognate with the word "basque".