Map of the peoples of Italy (500 BC)

This map published by the Encyclopaedia Britannica shows the geographical distribution of peoples on the Italian Peninsula before the expansion of Rome, around 500 BC.

The central part was occupied by various Italic peoples, notably the Romans, Latins, Samnites and Sabines. The northern part of the peninsula was occupied by the Etruscans, with the Veneti in the north-east and the Ligurians in the north-west.

In the south was Magna Graecia, formed by the many Greek colonies along the southern coast of the Italian Peninsula and eastern Sicily. Western Sicily was populated by the Carthaginians.

Sources

• Ancient Italic peoples – Encyclopaedia Britannica