Asmara under Italian rule was a colonial period when Eritrea's capital was ruled by the Italians. The city of Asmara came under Italian control in the 1880s after they conquered the territory of Italian Eritrea. In 1897, it was made the capital of the territory. The Italians subsequently referred to the city as "Piccola Roma".
The Italians took over the city of Asmara. 