Etrusca (Vae victis!)

Etruscan Republic First Etruscan Republic ← 367 AD–13 AD → Coat of arms Motto "Nam claritas Etrusca" (Latin) "For the glory of Etrusca" Anthem For Etrusca! Location of Etrusca before the conquest of the Umbrians and the fifty years war Capital Political Capital: Veii Economic Capital: Rome Official language Latin Religion Secular Government Monarchy King  - 386-368 AD Lucius I  - 368-340 AD Lausas I  - 340-317 AD Lucius II Prince  - 386-370 Radarca  - 370-362 Sabora History  - Etruscan Government reform 367 AD  - The Third Safinei War 30th, August 13 AD Today part of Northern and Central Italy

The Etruscan Republic was a nation based in the northern part of Italy between 367 BC and 13 AD. It was a powerful nation, engaging in three victorious wars against Safineim and forming and alliance with the Senones. Despite its influence, Etrusca was an unstable nation, as evidenced by the Etruscan rebellions, and its collapse after the third Safinei war. Its political system was almost always unstable, and when it was stable, it was ruled by a tyrannical upper class. Etrusca was ultimately a failure, collapsing into the secondary Etruscan Republic, a nation run by a tyrannical king. Despite this end though, Etrusca did influence the Italian peninsula, as well as western Europe, helping form early nations. Although it was never stable, The nation did help others become stable, thus leaving a lasting impression on the world.

History

Government Reform

While the Senone were attacking Rome, Roman influence over the Etruscans fell apart completely. Because of this, they decided to completely reform their government, and become a self sufficient nation. In order to do this, some of the most powerful families in Etrusca met to discuss the government and how it would work. In the end, they came up with a cross between a Republic and an autocracy. Under the system, 47 elected members and 53 appointed members would serve on the senate under the king. Every two years, they would elect a Prince, to serve under the king. The system worked well, and a capital was established, and the Etruscan Republic was officially declared.

Fifty Years War

After Etrusca had taken over the Umbrians and the Safinei had taken much of southern Italy, conflict was bound to happen. Finally, war did break out, along the former border of the Roman Republic. Quickly, the war fell apart for both sides, each unable to mount an effective offense. Etrusca did make some gains, but these were largely offset by the huge amount of casualties. As the war dragged on the Etruscans gained a greater advantage, but combat was still slow. As the Etruscans closed in on Rome, the Safinei were forced to redouble their defenses, putting more men on the front. This slowed down the advance of the Etruscans just outside Veii, and again forced the war to a near halt.

Finally, the Etruscans launched their so called final campaign. It started with a mass attack on the Safinei defensive line, which quickly broke the line and took Veii. From there, the Etruscans used their existing momentum to move onto Rome, fighting and taking the city quickly. As the Safinei line continued to fall apart, the Etruscans took the opportunity to advance further. Multiple times, the Safinei tried to build up a defensive line, but each time failed, taking devastating causalities. However, as the Etruscans momentum slowed, the Safinei were able to set up a strong defense, eventually stopping the advance. This lead to a treaty, were each side got to keep the land they currently controlled.

Culture

Politics

Before Rebellion

After the government reforms, Etruscan politics took on a layer of intricacy. While the elected officials did have plenty of power, the elected Princes tended to come from the appointed members. This of course lead to a constant power struggle between the two parts of the senate. The king often intervened on the side of the appointed officials, but this did little to calm the animosity between the sides of the senate. While certain members of the senate often switched sides to support the group they weren't part of, the schism was clear in almost every decision the senate made.