EARLY ITALY AND THE ROMAN MONARCHY

The geography of the Italian peninsula had its pros and cons. It had more fertile land than Greece, which led to them staying predominantly agrarian. However, they had no mineral resources except for some excellent marble, they rarely had trade, and the peninsula was more open to invasion than Greece. This made Romans absorbed in military pursuit because they had to defend their soil. The natives of Italy, and the most dominant people, were the Etruscans. By the sixth century B.C.E., they had a number of cities through Italy. They’re writing was based on the Greek alphabet, they were skilled in metalwork, had flouring trade with the East, and a religion of worshiping gods in human form. They’re art was vibrant and passed on the arch and the vault to Romans, as well as gladiatorial combat. Etruscan women were treated with respect which shocked Romans. Romans traveled to Italy through the Alps between 2000 and 1000 B.C.E. Because they were located on Tiber River, they began conquering and soon dominated most of the surrounding area. Original government (monarchical) wanted stability and military efficiency. It was similar to a patriarchal family with a king, plus a Senate of elders that could veto royal actions. In 534 B.C.E., Tarquin the Proud (Etruscan tyrant) took control of the kingship, and was very cruel. After his son raped Lucretia, the Romans over through the Etruscans and in 500 B.C.E., the kingship ended and the republic began.