Italy was united in 1861 and has contributed to the world as far as cultural and social developments of that area. The development of the Mediterranean area has deeply influenced European culture. After the Etruscan civilization and the Roman Republic and its Empire, Italy had contributed a lot as far as European philosophy, science and art during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

The origin of the name is unknown but it could be Greek for �Land of Cattle Calves or Veal�. But after the fall of the Empire, Italy or Italian became a name for the states on the peninsula and their overseas properties.

During 15th to 5th BC, Italy had experienced both the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. During the Bronze Age there had been many skillful people such a hunters, metallurgists which was a skill of casting bronze in molds of stone and clay and they had been agriculturists as well. During the Iron Age,the Villanovan culture had introduced the skill with working with iron on the Italian peninsula. The Etruscans came about during 800 BC and resulted in an increasing an oriental culture which had been influenced by Greeks. The first Etruscan state had been Rome.

Rome had been found in 753 BC by Romulus and Remus and governed by the seven kings. The Italian �province� was privileged by Augustus and his heirs, which resulted in the construction of public structures, a dense mesh of roads and a well being economy. There was also a huge increase in the agriculture, handicraft and industry which led to the exporting of goods into other provinces. Along with the economy, the population had grew as well.

During the Middle Ages was the Lombard invasion and the result of this was little help from Constantinople and they had not provided the essential services and had not protected Rome from attacks. During this time was when the popes had started to form an independent state. The age of Charlemagne had also occurred which was one of the stabilities for Italy. The 11th century had ended the �dark period�. Trade had started to take place again on
seas in particular and four cities had took more power. (Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, and Venice)

In late Middle Ages, the Italian Renaissance had took place in Tuscany and spread south which had a big impact on Rome because it had been also built by Renaissance popes. This took place in the 15th century and ideals first spread to neighboring states. The Renaissance was a period known for its art and learning.