History of Italy

Italy is known as the entire south peninsula of the Alps. It is known since the 1st century in B.C. The country used to be under control by a single country. Around 700 BC the majority of the tribes in Italy are relatively recent arrivals, either by land from the north or by sea across the Adriatic. They are Indo-Europeans, speaking the subgroup of languages known as Italic. The dominant group at this time, the Etruscans, are of some different origin. By the middle of the 8th century the Lombards have seized much of the territory inland from Ravenna, and in 751 they take Ravenna itself. Byzantine influence on places such as Venice will remain strong. But Italy can no longer be said to be part of the old Roman empire.

-Isabella