To this day, the Greeks and Italians often point out the similarities between their cultures. Roman architecture and Greek architecture are surprisingly similar. The mythology is almost the same, both sets of Gods reside on Mount Olympus.
During the beginning of the Roman Empire, if a Roman Patrician wished to reach the highest levels of education, they attended the schools in Greece. For instance, one of Rome's leading philosophers, constitutionalist, and one of the politicians aligned against Julius Caesar, introduced the "common" Roman to the Greek philosophers by translating many of the texts from Greek to Latin.
Greek also helped protect the Roman Empire during its infancy. Spartan soldiers were often called up to assist Roman Legions in their battles against the Middle-Eastern Parthian Empire.
The Etruscan civilization lasted from the 8th century BCE to the 3rd and 2nd century BCE. In the 6th century, the Etruscan expanded their influence over a wide area of Italy. They founded city-states in northern Italy and to the south . Early Rome was deeply influenced by the Etruscan culture, in fact, the word "Rome" is Etruscan.
Rome is located on the edge of what was the Etruscan homeland. Certain institutions and customs came directly from the Etruscans to Rome. Before the Etruscans arrived, Rome was a collection of small farmin settlements . Then , the Etruscan elite provided it with its early political arrangements, such as monarchy and army and urban infrastructure.
Romans were deeply influenced by the Etruscan culture, whose imprint can be seen in the Romans' writings, art and architecture, religion, military matters and entertainment (the gladiatorial combat).
