The Etruscans

Although Etruscans were not a particularly aggressive people, they developed a notably efficent military sistem: its structure deeply influenced the growing power of Rome so that the Servian Roman Army was modelled on the Etruscan system.

Military organization was based on town levies which was enlisted on social bases. First Class was formed by noble and rich citizens and included, over heavy hoplites with greek style panoplia, a small group of cavalry. Second Class infantry was formed by less heavily armoured infantry and with italic style armour and weapons. Third Class was much more light armed and equipped, while IV Class citizens formed skirmish type troops, armed with shooting weapons.

Etruscan armies included often mercenaries unit from italic people (as Samnites, Campanians or Celtic tribes). The army was usually deployed in lines composed by units of 100-400 men with cavalry on the flanks and skirmishers on the front. Etruscan cavalry often dismounted to fight as infantry; in these occsion cavalry tasks were left to mecenary contingents.

Etruscan II Class Infantry