It was the assyrians whom first used iron weapons in warfare actually, which gave them a huge advantage. The etruscans are actually a distinct people from the romans and they ruled over the early romans, romans kind of said fuck it overthrew the etruscan king and went on an ass kickin campaign while in the process incorporating lots of etruscan ideas, like the toga which they actually got from the etruscans and not the greeks if i remeber history class correctly. As for the twilight question, I'm somewhat useless when it comes to pop culture so I'll have to pass.