Pula is inhabited in classical antiquity by…

Pula is inhabited in classical antiquity by the Histri, a Venetic or Illyrian tribe from whom the name Istria is derived, recorded by Strabo in the 1st century CE and who are credited as being the builders of the hillfort settlements (castellieri).

The Histri are classified in some sources as a "Venetic" Illyrian tribe, with certain linguistic differences from other Illyrians.The Romans described the Histri as a fierce tribe of pirates, protected by the difficult navigation of their rocky coasts.

It takes two military campaigns for the Romans in 177 BCE to finally subdue the Histri, starting a period of Romanization.

The region is called together with the Venetian part the X. Roman Region of "Venetia et Histria", the ancient definition of the northeastern border of Italy.

Dante Alighieri will efers to it as well; the eastern border of Italy per ancient definition is the river Arsia. The eastern side of this river is settled by people whose culture is different than Histrians.

Earlier influence of the Iapodes is attested there, while at some time between the fourth and first century BCE, the Liburnians extend their territory and it becomes a part of Liburnia. On the northern side, Histria goes much further north and includes Tergeste, today the Italian city of Trieste.