The Romans - Early Italy

CLAS 2601: The Romans

4000 BCE

First appearance of agriculture in Italy.

2000 BCE

Introduction of copper tools and ornaments.

1600 BCE

Middle Bronze Age.

900 BCE

Growth of Villanova settlements in Etruria.

800 BCE

Greek contacts and settlement of Pithecusa.

750 BCE

Founding of Cumae, first Greek settlement on mainland Italy.

725 - 580 BCE

Orientalizing period in Italy.

580 - 480 BCE

Archaic period in Italy.

575 BCE

Construction of the “palace” at Murlo

550 BCE

Bronze panel of chariot burial built in the Apennines.

Mycenaeans

Greek civilization who influenced early Italian metallurgy and trade.

Phoenicians

Traders who influence southern Italy. Responsible for introducing maritime trading culture.

Villanovans

Culture that emerged in Etruria and Campania during the Iron Age. Responsible for introducing iron-working to the Italian Peninsula.

Etruscans

People from Etruria, influential in early Italian urban life. Informed Roman artistic traditions, gladiatorial combat, and religious rites and rituals.

Romans

Later dominant group in Latium and Italy. Responsible for the development of politics, economic life, and unifying large portions of the mediterranean basin.

Hercules

Greek hero associated with mythological depictions on terracotta friezes. Considered the founder of Florence, closely linked to the Medici, active in noble renaissance courts.

Hoplites

Greek-style infantry, appearing in Italian military. The most important fighting unit, introduced and popularized the hoplite phalanx which was influential in early warfare.

Etruria

Northern region in Italy, important in the rise of urban culture, artistic traditions, the spectacle or gladiatorial combat, temple design, and religious rituals.

Latium

Region in central Italy that hosted the city Rome, becoming the cultural and political centre of the Roman Empire.

Campania

Southern region, significant in early Greek and Roman history. Responsible for creating the first traces of Greco-Roman culture.

Pithecusa

Early Greek significant in early Greek and Roman history. Hosted the most crucial port of call in the trade relations held between the West and East at that time.

Cumae

First Greek city on the mainland of Italy. Located in the toe of Italy.

Veii

An important Etruscan city. The richest city in the Etruscan League and Rome’s greatest competitor in terms of economy, population, and military. Falls to Rome in 396 BCE, signifying Roman dominance over the Italian peninsula and eventually the mediterranean basin.

Caere

A southern Etrurian city with notable early settlements. Its citizens are reported to have saved Roman presided and sacred objects from the Gauls who sacked Rome in 387 BCE.