The Etruscan League was an alliance of twelve Etruscan city-states on the Italian peninsula, founded in 768 BC. The confederation's major cities included Tarquinii, Ariminum, and Velathri, all in the north. In 509 BC, after the Battle of Silva Arsia, the Roman Republic gained independence from the Etruscan king Lucius Tarquinius Superbus. The Etruscan League was weakened with the Fall of Veii in 396 BC to Rome, and was finally destroyed with the fall of Volsinii in 264 BC.