800 BCE: Beginning of the Etruscan civilization in Italy.

753 BCE: The legendary founding date of Rome.

750 BCE - 510 BCE: The (semi-mythological) seven kings of Rome: Romulus, Numa Pompilius, Tulus Hostilius, Ancus Marcius, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus.

740 BCE - 433 BCE: Greek poleis or city-states establish colonies in Magna Graecia.

600 BCE: Paestum is founded by colonists from Sybaris.

509 BCE: Foundation of the Roman Republic.

498 BCE - 493 BCE: Rome defeats the Latins.

410 BCE: Paestum is attacked and conquered by the Lucanians.

400 BCE: Celts enter Italy and settle in the Po Valley.

398 BCE - 380 BCE: Plato travels in Egypt, Cyrene, Italy, Syracuse and Sicily.

396 BCE: Roman expansion begins with the capture of Veii from the Etruscans.

391 BCE: Senones besiege Clusium, an Etruscan city.

343 BCE - 341 BCE: First Samnite War (Rome vs. Samnites).

340 BCE - 338 BCE: Latin War, victory for Rome.

326 BCE - 304 BCE: Second Samnite War.

300 BCE: Agathocles of Syracuse campaigns in Italy and captures Bruttium.

285 BCE - 282 BCE: Rome defeats the Celts in Italy. Rome's dominance in central Italy is secured.

280 BCE - 272 BCE: Roman war against Tarentum. Rome conquers Tarentum. Rome's dominance in lower Italy is secured.

223 BCE: Romans successfully campaign against Celtic tribes of Cisalpine Gaul.

177 BCE: The Roman colony of Luna founded in northern Italy, as a millitary stronghold.

89 BCE: All poleis or city-states in Magna Graecia come under Roman control.

167 CE: Marcomanni sack Aquileia.

488 CE - 493 CE: Theodoric the Great of the Ostrogoths conquers Italy.

535 CE - 554 CE: The Gothic War launched by Emperor Justinian I, aimed at reconquering Italy from the Goths.

535 CE: Belisarius' first campaign against the Ostrogoths in Italy.

536 CE - 562 CE: The Byzantine Empire conquers Italy.

568 CE - 582 CE: Lombards invade northern Italy.