Greek Influences

- influence: something that affects or changes

- introduced grape and olive farming

- passed on Greek alphabet

- Romans modeled buildings, sculptures, and literature after Greeks

The Etruscans

- greater influence than the Greeks

- took control of Rome

- ruled by nobles who were rich from trading and mining

​The Beginning of Rome

​

Italy is a peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. It is shaped like a boot. The heel points toward Greece. The toe points toward the island of Sicily.

​

The Alps cross the top of Italy and separate it from the rest of Europe. Another mountain range, called the Apennines, runs down Italy, from north to south. Passes, which run through the mountains, helped link people from different parts of early Italy. They could trade ideas and goods with each other. Italy has a mild climate, rich soil, and large, flat plains that make good farmland.

​

​

​

​

Roman history does not just involve the Latins. Around 800 b.c., the Greeks and the Etruscans came to Italy. The Greeks built many colonies in Italy between 750 b.c. and 500 b.c. They taught the Romans to grow olives and grapes and to use the Greek alphabet.Romans also copied Greek sculpture and other art forms.

​

The Etruscans had an even greater influence. They came from the area north of Rome. Many Etruscans were rich miners and traders. Others were devoted to art. They painted pictures and created jewelry, tools, and weapons. When the Etruscans came, Rome was a village with straw huts. That changed, however, after 650 b.c. when the Etruscans conquered Rome. They taught the Romans to build temples, streets, and public squares.​

​

The Etruscans introduced togas and short cloaks. A toga is like a sheet wrapped around your body, with one end over your shoulder. Most importantly, the Etruscans showed the Romans how an army could be more effective. Later, the Romans copied the Etruscan army and conquered an empire.​

​