1. Lesson Aim: The Romans Learn from Other Cultures and Etruscan Rule

3. Learning from other Cultures
Ships unloaded and loaded crops and other cargo on the Tiber River.
In Rome’s harbor, citizens met sailors from Greece and other lands.
The Romans studied new ideas about growing crops and learned stories about other people.

4. The weather along the Tiber River is great for crops such as grapes and olives.
¾ of Italy’s land is hilly.
The western coast has a lot of fertile land.
Italy’s climate is warm and moist most of the year.
As Rome grew, people called themselves “Romans” not “Latins.”

5. Etruscan Rule
The Etruscans were skilled builders and farmers who took over Rome in 600 B.C.
They taught many skills such as building aqueducts (structures that carry flowing water to supply water to cities) and build better weapons and ships.

6. Romans did not like Etruscan kings.
In 509 B.C., an Etruscan noble murdered the leader and took over the power.
Roman Leader Junius Brutus forced Tarquin and his sons out of Rome and became the new leader.