Geography of ancient rome

Geography of ancient Rome

The Italian Penninsula

• Italy lies on a peninsula, or land surrounded by water on three sides, in the Mediterranean Sea.

• It is shaped like a boot and looks as though it is kicking a football—the island of Sicily—toward North Africa

• . Italy is attached to the rest of Europe by a massive range of snowcovered mountains called the Alps. 

Multiple Choice

Where is Rome located?

• Seven Hills

• Along the Tiber River

• Italian Peninsula

• All of the above

The Italian Penninsula

-Another mountain range, the Apennines (A-puh-nynz), runs down the center of Italy.

-These mountains slope through wooded hills to sunny coastal plains and the blue waters of the Mediterranean.

- In time, the Romans would come to call the Mediterranean Mare Nostrum (MAHR-ay NOHS-truhm), or “Our Sea.”

The Italian Penninsula

• Rome was founded on seven hills on the volcanic west coast of Italy.

• The Romans embraced the advanced cultures of their neighbors to the north and south.

• Ideas adopted from these cultures helped Rome flourish and grow strong.

The City of Rome

• Rome’s geography helped it survive and thrive.

• What first made Rome important was its strategic position.

• It was located at a key crossing point of the Tiber (TY-bur) River. 

The City of Rome

The location was also a natural stopping point on the valuable trade routes running north to south and inland from the sea.

-The city was far enough from the coast to escape deadly attacks by pirates and enemies but close enough to benefit from the Mediterranean’s busy sea trade.

-Olive oil and wine were among Rome’s most commonly traded items.

The City of Rome

-The circle of seven hills on which Rome was built rose above the river and also provided protection against attack.

-These seven hills became Rome’s center. Romans built important government buildings there.

-The hills were also home to religious temples and entertainment facilities. Roads branched off from this area to the outside world.

The City of Rome

-The land around the city had fertile soil, a good water supply, and a mild climate.

-These qualities helped Rome’s agriculture flourish and support the large population needed to wage and win wars in the ancient world.

-As the Roman historian Livy boasted, “With good reason did gods and men choose this site for founding a city.” 

The City of Rome

-Rome’s central location helped it take over much of Italy.

-Then Italy’s central location helped Rome become a powerful force in the Mediterranean.

- Around the sea, the riches of Europe, Southwest Asia, and North Africa were temptingly close.

-Control of the Mediterranean seemed within the grasp of a strong, ambitious, and determined civilization like Rome.

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Multiple Choice

Why did the early Romans settle in this area?

• Hills provided protection

  Incorrect

• Fertile soil by the Tiber

• Both A and B

• None of the Above

Multiple Select

What effects did the fertile soil have on the ancient Romans?

• Large, well trained army because they had plenty of food

• Grow lots wheat, olives, grapes, and many other crops

• Traded their crops for other resources

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements is NOT true about the geography of Rome?

• The mountains created isolation and individual city-states.

• The Romans traded to get more resources.

• The Alps provided protection.

• There was a lot of fertile land.

Multiple Choice

Italy is in the shape of a

• bow tie

• button

• boat

• boot

Multiple Choice

What kind of landform is Italy?

• island

• peninsula

• crater

• delta

Multiple Choice

. What river runs through Rome?

• Tiber

• Mississippi

• Nile

• Rhine

Multiple Choice

What sea was the Roman world built around?

• Black Sea

• Caspian Sea

• Mediterranean Sea

• North Sea