The Etruscans created a brilliant and powerful culture in North and Central Italy in the 1st millennium BC, spreading to dominate the peninsula from the Po Valley through Tuscany and Umbria down to Lazio and Campania. The early 'Villanovan' period of this Rasenna people saw mastery in the manufacture of bronze armour and weapons, and later their mineral wealth brought them trade with the Eastern Mediterranean world and increasing Greek influence. In their 'Classic' period, a loose confederacy between their 12 cities increased their military resources; at their peak in the 6th century BC, they were victorious both at sea and on land, and came to rule the young city of Rome. Rome's expulsion of its Tarquinii kings began a Song Etruscan twilight, but it was not until the 3rd century that Rome completed its conquest of Etruscan territory. Drawing upon literary, iconographic and the latest archaeological sources, the authors trace the story of Etruscan fighting men down the centuries, illustrating it with photos and meticulous archaeological drawings, and eight newly researched full-colour plates. Book jacket.