Septimania is a region in France that was occupied by the Visigoths in the 5th century. The spelling of the word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription, which represents the sounds of speech. In IPA, "septi" is pronounced /ˈsɛpti/ and "mania" is pronounced /ˈmeɪniə/. The stress is on the first syllable, and the "a" is pronounced like the "a" in "cat." When written in French, the word is spelled "Septimanie," and in Spanish it is spelled "Septimania."
Septimania is a historical region located in southwestern Europe, specifically in modern-day France and Spain. With its etymology rooted in the Latin word "septem," meaning "seven," the name refers to the seven provinces or administrative districts that comprised the region during the Roman Empire. These districts were part of the province of Gallia Narbonensis, which was established by Julius Caesar in 118 BCE.
Septimania's boundaries have evolved throughout history. Originally encompassing the coastal areas of what is now the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France, it extended southward into Catalonia and Northern Catalonia, which are now part of Spain. Over time, Septimania experienced significant cultural and linguistic influence from both the Mediterranean and Germanic civilizations.
During the Early Middle Ages, Septimania went through periods of Visigothic and Muslim rule before eventually being brought under the dominion of the Carolingian Empire. This region later became the focus of contention between various rulers and powers, including the Counts of Toulouse, the Kingdom of Aragon, and the Kingdom of France.
Today, the historical significance of Septimania is reflected in the diverse cultural heritage found within its territory. The distinctive blending of Roman, Visigothic, Moorish, and Frankish influences can still be observed through the region's architecture, cuisine, and linguistic patterns. The term "Septimania" is primarily used within an historical context to refer to this complex and fascinating region that bridged different civilizations and left a lasting impact on the cultural identity of modern-day southern France and northeastern Spain.
The word "Septimania" has its origins in Latin. It comes from the combination of two Latin words: "septem", meaning "seven", and "mania", which originally meant "madness" but in this context represents "region" or "land".
In the 5th century, the Visigoths, a Germanic tribe, established a kingdom in southern Gaul, which roughly corresponds to modern-day France. This region became known as Septimania because it had been divided into seven administrative regions or "civitates". These were Narbonne, Toulouse, Agde, Lodève, Béziers, Nîmes, and Albi.
The etymology of the name implies that it was a land divided into seven parts, following the administrative organization created by the Visigoths during their rule.