Etruscan civilization predated the Roman Empire by hundreds of years, and as such, the Romans were profoundly influenced by many Etruscan practices, including types of farming, methods of artwork, religious rituals, and even clothing styles.

The Etruscan civilization flourished in Central Italy between the 8th and 3rd century BC, dominating the region until it gradually fell to expanding Rome beginning in the late 4th century BC. However, military defeat did not mean cultural defeat for the Etruscans, and indeed, the Romans inherited many of their own cultural and artistic traditions from this great, preceding empire.