The earliest detailed Roman army in the book belongs to the period of Etruscan rule before the Republic began in 509 BC. Contact with the Greek cities of southern Italy introduced a deep hoplite phalanx built around long thrusting spears and overlapping round shields. Roman and Latin troops supported the formation's flanks in looser order with spears, axes, and javelins. The reconstruction shows older Villanovan-style warriors standing beside a fully equipped Etrusco-Roman hoplite, so military change appears as overlap rather than instant replacement. Greek armor and shield practice were adapted through distinctive Italian forms, including a local development of the Corinthian helmet.
Chapter · 3:05:45-3:07:41
Etruscan Rome adapted the Greek hoplite phalanx
A reconstruction of Rome before the Republic shows Greek phalanx methods entering through Etruscan contact with Magna Graecia while older Italian equipment persisted.