Germany- The Vandals were a Germanic people who invaded Gaul, Spain, and Africa. The Vandal King Gaiseric eventually conquered the entire Roman province in Northern Africa, and even managed to sack Rome in 455 CE. The Vandals also pressured Sicily and southern Italy. The Vandals demonstrated the military prowess of …

Central Apennine Mountains, Mountain Range Bisecting Italy from North to South- A hill people of Central Italy, who, from 343- 290 BCE, waged war with the Romans. Finally, Rome defeated them and established a treaty with the Samnite states providing an expanded Roman Confederation and an alliance between the parties …

Central Italian Peninsula, modern day Tuscany- 900- 450 BCE -- The Etruscans had a major influence on the Roman civilization. The origin of the Etruscans is subject to debate, some historians believe the Etruscans are Italian natives, while others believe they migrated from Asia-Minor, or elsewhere. The Etruscans lived in walled …

Greece, Northern Mediterranean- 1600- 1100 BCE -- The Mycenaean Greeks were Indo-European speaking peoples who spread from southwestern Europe, India and Iran. Mycenaean culture is marked by fortified palace-centers, which were built on hills surrounded by stone walls. Royal families would live within the city-wall structure, while citizens would live outside …

The Eastern Mediterranean Region, Middle East into Asia- An enormous empire established in large part due to the expansive conquests of Cyrus the Great. The Persians had conquered nearly every Middle-Eastern civilization and created a huge empire by 500 BCE. The Persians were an Indo-European speaking people related to the …

The Eastern Mediterranean Region, Middle East- The Medes existed from 612- 539 BCE. Along with the Chaldeans , the Medes contributed to the conquest of the Assyrian Empire. The Medes originated in Iran, North East of the Arabian Peninsula. The Medes were conquered by the Persians and Cyrus the Great around …