Which war started the roman quest for empire?

Rome's quest for empire or expansion goes way, way back before the more famous wars such as the Punic Wars. When Rome was nothing more than a small town, they had a long war with the Etruscans who ruled the city of Veii, which was across the Tiber from Rome. In 396 BC Rome captured Veii which doubled Rome's territory and was a stepping-stone for Rome to conquer the surrounding territory of Latinum.