The Etruscans By nickmlee 400 The Romans begin expanding the Empire, beginning the conquest of the peninsula. 500 Rome becomes the most important city in central Italy At the same time, it rebells against the Etruscans and Latins. 500 Rome is independent of the Etruscans Facilitated by the loss of the Etruscans to the Greeks Period: 500 to Mar 22, 600 The Etruscans capture large portions of Italy, including Rome Corsica is also conquered Mar 22, 650 Rome is established as a city, not just a series of villages Period: Mar 2, 2022 to Mar 2, 2022 The Etruscans settle the Italian Peninsula No one really knows where they came from.