The city of Bulla was first mentioned by Latin classical sources when the pursuing Roman armies caught up with the Numidian king Hiarbas at Bulla where he had sought refuge (in 81 BC). It also appeared, much later, (end of 4th century AD) in one of Saint Augustin's sermons when he reproached the inhabitants of the city for continuing to go to such places of debauch as the theatre'' While their neighbours,the inhabitants of Chemtou, had long ago deserted them.In the writings of Arab travellers, Bulla Regia is referred to as Henchir bul. Archaeology and in particular Latin inscriptions , are much more generous in terms of information supplied.They enable us to trace the history of the city since the 4th century BC until the Moslem conquest in the seventh century AD.
Its main claim to fame today is the unique roman houses which have 2 levels, one above ground the other below. This offered the inhabitants protection from both the heat of summer and the cold of winter.