The Etruscans influenced not only the government of the Roman monarchy, but also the religious practices, and early architecture.

This article gives a description of the important later Etruscan kings. The history is still based on legend, but the influence of the Etruscan people can be seen in the development of Rome.

This article explains how early government of the Roman city-state evolved. The foundation of the government under the Roman Republic was established during the Roman monarchy.

Early Roman religion was based on the family with a strong "head of the family" in Jupiter. Because the early Romans were an agricultural society, much of the religion also centered on nature.

The importance of family in Roman culture was apparent from the beginning of Rome. This article explains the structure of Roman society from the basic family unit to the tribe, a coalition of many families.

A description of organization of the Roman army, set up in the 6th century BC, by the Etruscan king, Servius Tullius. This was the basis of the army through the Republic.

By the end of the Roman monarchy, Rome had incorporated many cities into the Latin League, a military alliance. This was the beginning of Roman expansion into all of Italy.

This passage from the 1901 textbook of William Morey discusses the beginning of the Flavian dynasty and its first emperor, Vespasian.

William Morey explains the tension between the Roman aristocracy, the patricians, and the plebeians with the establishment of the Republic. The First Secession of the plebeians brings some relief.

Rome cannot rest after conquering lands. With often brutal methods, she subdues and consolidates her conquests, and perfects the province system. A slave revolt in Sicily, though, is an indication of problems to come.

This chapter in William Morey's 1901 textbook discusses the roforms made by the Etruscan kings and the introduction of the tension between Roman patricians and plebeians.

This passage in the 1901 textbook of William Morey reviews the cultural changes in Rome up to the end of the Roman Republic.

Find out how Rome evolves from a democratic republic to a government controlled essentially by the wealthy. It works for a long time.

Read about how the patricians finally understand the importance of the plebeians, who are then granted the right to pass laws for all and to intermarry with patricians.

The Romans cast off their Etruscan kings and create a new Republic, incorporating many of the governmental ideas from the Etruscans into their new government.

The Laws of the Twelve Tables were written down as a result of the continuing conflict between patricians and plebeians. Now laws were not secret and applied to all, regardless of class.

The Roman Republic continues to evolve, incorporating plebeians into the government. New offices are added to the government in an attempt to keep both the patricians and plebeians satisfied.

With Rome's conquest of foreign lands, she assimilates many ideas for literature, architecture, art, religion, and philosophy.

Read this passage from William Morey's 1901 textbook to learn about the social war and Sulla's part in it.

One of Rome's strengths was the way it governed the peoples it conquered. Find out the difference between the Romans, the Latins, and the Italians in terms of rights of citizenship.