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Historical Roman ruins
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The region now known as modern Tuscany corresponds to the former area of Etruria. However, the Etruscans were not the first people to grace this land. It was in prehistoric times that man left indications of his presence and there is evidence of small tribal settlements up to the Iron Age. The first evidence of the Etruscans was from around 800 BC from which time the land began to change towards its modern format.
The history of Tuscany is crammed with centuries of changes and struggles from the Etruscans to being swallowed by the Rome Empire. Then the destruction of Rome by the conquering German Barbarians, Odoacre and the Goths. This was followed by being governed by the Lombards and the Franks, through the Middle Ages to the Medici and the Renaissance. Then finally into Modern times.
It is interesting to note that Tuscany's wealth came, not from the land, but from commerce and from its unique position at the centre of trade routes within the Mediterranean basin. In fact, the emergence of Florence, Lucca, Pisa, and Arezzo, and the evolution of the new city-states of Siena, Pistoia, Prato, and other towns such as San Gimignano, Volterra, Livorno, Colle val d'Elsa, and Grosseto is due to extensive trade.
Neverthless, throughout most of its history this whole area has been a prosperous region for agriculture and a central point for communication for road, sea ports, railways and industry. Now it is well established as a great tourist location.
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