Get to know the most fascinating places in Italy. The Italian Peninsula has been the cradle of European civilizations such as the Etruscans and the Romans. Ancient Rome, established in the 8th century BC, eventually became a massive empire encompassing the Mediterranean and beyond, fostering developments in law, government, architecture, and culture that have imprinted on Western civilization. During the Middle Ages, Italy became a battleground for power and territory among city-states like Venice, Florence, and Milan, each of which functioned as a hub for commerce and finance, pivotal in the development of the Renaissance. ___________________ Original or licensed content.