GAETULIA

ancient district of interior North Africa that in Roman times, at least, was inhabited by wandering tribes, the Gaetuli. The area, not clearly defined, included the southern slopes of the Atlas Mountains, from the Aurs Massif westward as far as the Atlantic; southward it extended to the oases in the northern part of the Sahara. Distinguished from the Negro tribes to the south, the Gaetuli belonged to the Berber peoples who formed the population of Numidia. The tribes were noted for their horse breeding; they dressed in skins and lived on flesh and milk. The only manufacture connected with their name was that of purple dye. The modern nomadic tribes of the area are probably of the same stock.