Antiquity: Etruscans & Roman Empire

Italy's history begins long before Rome: The Etruscans (9th–1st century BC) created a highly developed civilization in central Italy with cities, art, and religion that strongly influenced the Romans. Their necropolises (Cerveteri, Tarquinia — both UNESCO) with colorful tomb frescoes are among the most fascinating testimonies of antiquity.

According to legend, Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus. From a small city-state on the Tiber, it became the largest empire of antiquity over the centuries: At its peak (117 AD), the Roman Empire stretched from Britain to Mesopotamia, from Germania to North Africa. The Romans brought roads, aqueducts, law, and administration — foundations on which Europe still stands today.

The division of the empire (395 AD) and the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD) marked the end of antiquity. What remained: Christianity (tolerated since Constantine in 313 AD, state religion since Theodosius in 380 AD), Latin as the basis of the Romance languages, and an architectural legacy that continues to amaze.