Italy 500 BCE
The peoples of Italy, including the Romans, have come under the influence of Greek and Etruscan civilization.
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What is happening in Italy in 500BCE
By 700 BCE, when Italy first appears in (Greek) written records, most of its inhabitants lived as farmers or herders in villages or small towns, and spoke an Indo-European language. Colonists from Greece had already established several city-states in the south of Italy and in Sicily. These have brought Greek civilization to the peninsula, and with it the alphabet, Greek styles of art and architecture, and other Greek ways.
The Etruscans – and Rome
Another sophisticated civilization – that of the Etruscans – has emerged, under Greek influence. It is centred on a group of wealthy city-states in central Italy. At around this time their power reaches its peak with the establishment of outposts in the Po valley, in the north. By 500 BCE, other Italian peoples are living in city-states, and that distinctively Greek political form, the republic, is taking root in the peninsula.
In central Italy, the small city of Rome is even now winning its independence from Etruscan domination and becoming one of these new-fangled city-republics. It is from this time and place that one of the greatest empires in world history can trace its rise.
Read more about early Rome here
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Egypt history 200BCE
Egypt is now ruled by monarchs descended from one of Alexander the Great's generals
Europe history 200BCE
The Celts still dominate much of Europe, but a new power, Rome, is on the rise and is now the leading power in the western Mediterranean
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Egypt history 30BCE
Egyptian independence has come to an end with the death of its famous queen, Cleopatra
Europe history 30BCE
The Roman empire now rules much of Europe
Central Europe history 30BCE
Major population movements are occuring in this region
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Europe history 200CE
The Roman Empire has given much of Europe two centuries of peace and prosperity
Britain history 200CE
A Roman province now covers the southern half of the British Isles
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Spain and Portugal history 750CE
Muslim forces from North Africa have conquered most of present-day Spain and Portugal.
Britain history 750CE
A collection of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms now covers most of present-day England, and the rest of the British Isles is home to numerous Celtic tribes and kingdoms
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