Final answer:
The Etruscans dominated central Italy from about 800 BC, influencing early Roman society through their governance, military organization, and culture. They organized into city-states like Veii and Vulci until the rise of Rome and their defeat at the Battle of Cumae in 474 BCE led to their assimilation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Domination of Central Italy by the Etruscans
The group of people who dominated central Italy from about 800 BC were the Etruscans. Emerging as the most successful early populations of the Italian peninsula, at their height during 900-27 BCE, they formed a highly organized society. The Etruscans are known for their complex government and religious practices, heavily influenced by the Greek pantheon, and they played a significant role in the early development of Rome.
The Etruscan civilization was predominantly centered in Etruria (modern Tuscany) but extended its influence over Rome and much of central Italy. The civilization was divided into independent city-states like Veii and Vulci, each with its own king and council of elders. Notably, the Etruscan society is credited for influencing Roman military organization, from the adoption of the phalanx to more sophisticated tactics that would later be their own undoing.
Interestingly, despite the lack of concrete evidence, Roman legends suggest that early Rome was under Etruscan rule, a narrative that influenced Roman identity profoundly. The Etruscan states remained the dominant power until their defeat by the Greek city-state of Syracuse at the Battle of Cumae in 474 BCE.
The Etruscans were master traders, artisans, and utilized the wealth from Italy's natural resources to their advantage. However, the rise of Rome eventually led to the assimilation of the Etruscan culture into Roman society. Key Etruscan contributions to Rome included governance structures and the establishment of public buildings in the swamp-drained territories. Following the overthrow of the last Etruscan king in 509 BCE, Rome transitioned to a republican form of government, marking a decline in Etruscan influence.