Originally inhabited by the Ligurians, then by Illyrian populations from the Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia was subsequently invaded by the Celts. The cultural and political center of the region immediately became Aquileia, a Roman colony which later became a bishopric. After the destruction of Aquileia by the Huns, the center moved to Cividale. The subsequent upper hand of the Longobards and then of Avari, Cividale was annexed in the brand of Verona, while Aquileia restored its importance.
Subsequently, the Venetians took over: first they conquered Udine and Cividale and suggestively aimed at the unification of the region. With the Treaty of Campoformio, the region was ceded to Austria, but showed its impatience with the Habsburg domination throughout the Risorgimento.