Once the republic was established, the Romans began to use their skills as warriors, engineers, and administrators to expand their territory across Italy and beyond.
Beginning in 341 BCE, the Romans waged a series of wars to take over neighboring lands. They first defeated the 30 allied cities called the Latin League. Then they conquered the Etruscans to the north of Rome. They also conquered the Samnites to the east. Finally, the Romans took over the Greek colonies in the south. By 272 BCE, the entire Italian Peninsula was under Roman control. The republic was set to expand its territory around the Mediterranean.