Not sure if it was used earlier than that, but it was the Etruscans that introduced it to Roman architecture..
Etruscan Engineering and Agricultural Achievements: The Ancient City of Spina
The Mysterious Etruscans | Last modified on Tue, 17-Aug-2004 15:36:27 GMT | editors
Posted on 08/17/2004 9:05:30 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1193229/posts
The Etruscans: Reopening the Case of the Mute Civilization
New York Times | May 27, 2001 | Alan Riding
Posted on 08/04/2004 11:39:04 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1185005/posts