The rise of Rome: from the Iron Age to the Punic Wars

Part I. Early Italy and the foundation of Rome. Introducing early Rome

Setting the scene : Iron-Age Italy

Trojans, Latins, Sabines and rogues : Romulus, Aeneas and the 'foundation' of Rome

The rise of the international aristocracy : Italy and the orientalising revolution

Orientalising Rome and the early kings

Part II. War, politics and society : Rome and Italy, 600-400. The urban revolution : city and state in sixth-century Italy

Tyrants and wicked women : Rome, the Tarquin dynasty and the fall of the monarchy

The 'fifth-century crisis' and the changing face of Italy

A difficult transition : the early Roman Republic

Rome on the march : war in Latium and beyond, 500-350

Part III. The Roman conquest of Italy. The road to power : Italy and Rome, 390-342

'Whether Samnite or Roman shall rule Italy' : the Samnite wars and the conquest of Italy

Co-operation or conquest? : alliances, citizenship and colonisation

Part IV. From city-state to Italian dominance. The impact of conquest : Rome, 340-264

Epilogue : Rome, Italy and the beginnings of empire in 264.