Final answer:
The rulers of Italy before the Romans were the C). Etruscans, an influential civilization that predated the Roman Republic and contributed significantly to its foundation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rulers of Italy before the Romans were the Etruscans. This ancient civilization played a crucial role in the development of Roman culture and society. The Etruscan civilization rose to prominence by the 6th century BCE, governing much of northern and central Italy, including the Latin-speaking town along the Tiber River which would become Rome. They organized Roman society to fight as a phalanx and greatly influenced Roman religion, government, military tactics, and culture. Etruscan kings ruled until 509 BCE, when the Romans overthrew the last Etruscan monarch and established a republic.
Associated with words like mysterious and enigmatic, the Etruscans' origins are still a subject of debate, but it's widely accepted that they were powerful and influential in shaping early Rome and the broader Italian peninsula. They were known for their independent city-states, such as Veii and Vulci, and for their trade relations with Greek city-states. Notable for their adoption and modification of the Greek alphabet and their interactions with neighboring cultures, the Etruscans left a significant legacy that still fascinates researchers and historians today.