Kingdom II

Begins ca. 1000 BC
Seems to mark a cultural change from earlier Bronze Age
Unclear if adoption of cremation shows population change or simply cultural borrowing.
- Culture associated with new practices called "Villanovan."
- From central Europe? Associated with Etruscans?
Early Iron Age very sparsely populated
- Low cultural level
- Limited economic activity
- Main unit of social organization: family group
Iron Age in Latium called "Latial Culture"
Slight evidence of minimal occupation of Rome ca. 800
From 750 on increase in economic activity
- Specialization
- Increased concentration of economic wealth
- "Proto Urban"
From 650 on large building projects begin
- Shows "proto state"?

Non-Indo-European
- Language related to no other in Italy
- Matrilinear culture
  - So says ancient literary tradition
  - Culturally indistinguishable from other Italians
Came from Asia?
Leaders in development of more advanced social/political organization
Expanded political control south in Late Iron Age
- Rome on ford over Tiber

Etruscan dynasty acc. to literary tradition
- To be equated with major building projects in Late Iron Age Rome?
Elective monarchy
Assembly of adult males
Curia (political unit based on heredity)
Gens/Gentes (clan-like family unit)
- Declines in importance under Rep.
- Late replaced in importance by "nuclear family"
Tribus (geographical voting unit)
- 4 for city, 20 for countryside
- Names of rural "tribes" assoc. with important gentes
- Important element in later Republican constitution
Populus
- Later means "body politic"
- Etymology seems to be from "army"
  - Derived verb populari means "devastate"
- Assembly of "army" replaces earlier assembly of curias

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