Question: where did italy invade in an effort to recreate the idea of the roman empire

title: Italian Empire
text: Dalmatia was a strategic region during World War I that both Italy and Serbia intended to seize from Austria - Hungary . The Treaty of London guaranteed Italy the right to annex a large portion of Dalmatia in exchange for Italy 's participation on the Allied side . From 5 -- 6 November 1918 , Italian forces were reported to have reached Lissa , Lagosta , Sebenico , and other localities on the Dalmatian coast . By the end of hostilities in November 1918 , the Italian military had seized control of the entire portion of Dalmatia that had been guaranteed to Italy by the Treaty of London and by 17 November had seized Fiume as well . In 1918 , Admiral Enrico Millo declared himself Italy 's Governor of Dalmatia . Famous Italian nationalist Gabriele D'Annunzio supported the seizure of Dalmatia , and proceeded to Zara ( today 's Zadar ) in an Italian warship in December 1918 .