Some remains exist from the Neanderthals who occupied Italy over half a million years ago, but the main period of colonization begand after the last Ice Age, with evidence of Paleolithic and Neolithic dating from around 20,000 BC and 4,000 BC respectively.

Greek settlers colonized parts of the Tuscan coast and the Bay of Naples in the eigth century BC. The Greek settlements were very successful, introducing the vine and olive to Italy, and establishing a high-yielding agricultural system. The Etruscans were the other major civilisation of the period, mainly living in the area between the Tiber and Arno rivers. Their language is one of the last relics of an ancient language common to the Meditteranean.

The growth of Rome, a border town between Etruscans and the Latins gained impetus around 600 BC from a coalition of of Latin and Sabine communities. In 390 BC the Gauls captured Rome, refusing to leave until they had recieved a vast payment, but this was to be temporary.

Julius Caeser brought himself the post of Consul in 59 BC, then spent the next 8 years on campaigns against the Gauls. Caeser became absolute ruler in 49BC and spent the next four years on civil reforms, writing his history of the Gallic wars and chasing his followers through Spain, Greece and Egypt. A group of enemies in the Senate, including his adopted son Brutus, conspired to murder him in 44 BC, a few months after he had been appointed ruler for life.

Tiberius (4-37 AD), the successor to Augustus, ruled wisely, but thereafter began a reign of decadence. During the psychopathic reign of Caligula (37–41) the civil service kept the empire running; Claudius (41–54) conquered southern Britain, and was succeeded by his stepson Nero (54–68), who violently persecuted the Christians.