The region was settled by Celts and Illyrians in pre-Roman times and fell to Rome in the 1st century AD. In the 6th century Slavic tribes arrived and part of the territory came under the Slavic Duchy of Karantania in the 7th century. In 745 Karantania became part of the Frankish Empire as an independent country with its own laws and language. After passing under the rule of Bavarian dukes and the Republic of Venice, it joined its neighbouring Slovene-inhabited areas to become part of the Habsburg dynasty in the 14th century.