Romanization

The process of expansion of Rome into Etruria unfolded over a rather long span of time. The progressive expansionism of Rome in Italy also presupposes an ensemble of legal relationships that must be kept in mind. In general terms, the phenomenon that is usually referred to as "Romanization" assumes three factors: 1. 2. 3. capacity to organize and carry out conquest and in the process mitigate conflict. capacity to give attention in a pragmatic and realistic way to the interests of the communities which progressively came under Roman control. capacity to design diverse and flexible legal forms for the regulation of Rome's relations with the newly conquered communities. The Roman policy toward Etruria was not homogeneous and presents a variety of approaches that realistically reflect various socioeconomic situations. In the north, the Roman victory required a notable financial outlay on the part of the defeated community, with the consequent reinforcement of the ruling oligarchy; in the south, the Roman victory brought about extensive cessions of territory from the defeated community. Romanization, even if this is taken simply to mean the assimilation of Roman customs by local populations, was necessarily accompanied by economic exploitation. The complex Roman road organization in the region is considered an essential feature of this policy, and consciously aimed to enhance the value of under populated areas such as the Albegna Valley that lent themselves to profitable cultivation.