Gladiators - typical Roman? Nope, Etruscan. Aqueducts - that must be Roman? Nope, Etruscan again. Many things we would consider as typical Roman culture has been ‘invented’ by the Etruscans - a culture that long existed in the north of Italy before the Kings of Sandals arrived/prospered.

Too bad only so little remained of this great culture. I guess it was completely assimilated by the Romans after they had defeated the Etruscans?

More? Wikipedia (not much to read there) and mysteriousetruscans.com (highly recommended)