Etrusco-Carthaginian maritime supremacy.

In the previous chapters we have presented an outline of development of the Roman constitution during the first two centuries of the republic; we now recur to the commencement of that epoch, for the purpose of tracing the external history of Rome and of Italy. About the time of the expulsion of the Tarquins from Rome the Etruscan power had reached its height. The Tuscans, and the Carthaginians who were in close alliance with them, possessed undisputed supremacy in the Tyrrhene Sea. Although Massilia, amidst continual and severe struggles, maintained her independence, the sea-ports of Campania and of the Volscian land, and, after the battle of Alalia, Corsica also (P. 153), were in the possession of the Etruscans. In Sardinia, the sons of the Carthaginian general, Mago, laid the foundation of the greatness both of their house and of their city, by the complete conquest of the island (about 260); and in Sicily, while the Hellenic colonies were occupied with their internal feuds, the Phosnicians retained their told on the western half without meeting with effectual opposition. The vessels of the Etruscans were no less dominant in the Adriatic; and their pirates were dreaded even in the more eastern waters.

Subjugation of Latium by Etruia

By land also their power seemed to be on the increase. Subjugation To acquire possession of Latium was an object of most decisive importance to, which was separated by the Latins alone from the Volscian towns which were dependent on it, and from its possessions in Campania. Hitherto the firm bulwark of the Roman power had sufficiently protected Latium, and had successfully maintained against Etruria the frontier line of the Tiber.