Introduction to RomeIntroduction to Rome

GeographyGeography

The Italian PeninsulaThe Italian PeninsulaPhysical featuresPhysical features

‘‘History is Governed, if not determined by GeographyHistory is Governed, if not determined by Geography’’

►Consider the following Consider the following questions when thinking about questions when thinking about how an area is run either how an area is run either politically, economically or politically, economically or socially.socially.

►Do the mountains protect, divide or Do the mountains protect, divide or obstruct?obstruct?

►Do the mountains breed a type of Do the mountains breed a type of personality? Does the sea? Do they personality? Does the sea? Do they both affect the character of a nation or both affect the character of a nation or civilization?civilization?

►Would the Romans favour trade or Would the Romans favour trade or agriculture?agriculture?

►Would the Romans be good fighters or Would the Romans be good fighters or Sailors?Sailors?

►Could the land produce enough food?Could the land produce enough food?►Where would they get more food if Where would they get more food if

they needed it?they needed it?►From what direction would invaders From what direction would invaders

come?come?►Would unity be easier than Greece?Would unity be easier than Greece?

►Which side of the Peninsula would Which side of the Peninsula would develop first?develop first?

Physical FeaturesPhysical Features

► The Italian Peninsula is 3 times bigger than Greece.The Italian Peninsula is 3 times bigger than Greece.► Italy is shaped like a boot, juts approximately 960km out into Italy is shaped like a boot, juts approximately 960km out into

the Mediterranean Sea and is 160km wide.the Mediterranean Sea and is 160km wide.

► There are 3200 km of coastline There are 3200 km of coastline ► Good harbours are hard to find.Good harbours are hard to find.► There are better harbours on the West Coast of Italy and There are better harbours on the West Coast of Italy and

therefore it was more westward oriented.therefore it was more westward oriented.

► Strategically,Italy is located in the center of the Strategically,Italy is located in the center of the Mediterranean. The Romans could reach the Middle East, Mediterranean. The Romans could reach the Middle East, Greece, Spain and North Africa easily by sea.Greece, Spain and North Africa easily by sea.

► The main mountain chain( Apennines) runs down the The main mountain chain( Apennines) runs down the eastern length like a backbone.eastern length like a backbone.

► The Alps( North), helped to protect Rome from The Alps( North), helped to protect Rome from invasion, although mountain passes allowed people invasion, although mountain passes allowed people to cross into Europe.to cross into Europe.

►Unlike the Greeks( high peaks) the Unlike the Greeks( high peaks) the rugged Italian landscape did not rugged Italian landscape did not prevent the Romans from unifying prevent the Romans from unifying under a single ruler and creating a under a single ruler and creating a large empire.large empire.

Fertile LandFertile Land

► There were three main areas of fertile land.There were three main areas of fertile land.► 1) The great northern plain, enriched by the fertile 1) The great northern plain, enriched by the fertile

deposits from the Po River.deposits from the Po River.► The Apennine ridge ( extended by the west to the The Apennine ridge ( extended by the west to the

east before turning south) cut off the plains from east before turning south) cut off the plains from the rest of Italy.the rest of Italy.

► Until Julius Caesar, the area was considered to be Until Julius Caesar, the area was considered to be part of Gaul.part of Gaul.

Fertile LandFertile Land

► 2) Plain of Latium2) Plain of Latium► 3) Plain of Campania3) Plain of Campania► Both were on the West CoastBoth were on the West Coast► Both were small areas. The soil was enriched by Both were small areas. The soil was enriched by

phosphate from volcanoes ( were active until phosphate from volcanoes ( were active until 1000BCE).1000BCE).

► As Rome’s population increased these 3 plains As Rome’s population increased these 3 plains could not support the growing demand for grain.could not support the growing demand for grain.

► Like the Greeks, the Romans had to find colonies to Like the Greeks, the Romans had to find colonies to supplement their food supply.supplement their food supply.

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RiversRivers

► The mountainous character of the peninsula robbed it of The mountainous character of the peninsula robbed it of many great rivers.many great rivers.

► There were 3 great rivers in the Roman Empire in Italy:There were 3 great rivers in the Roman Empire in Italy:► 1) The Po River1) The Po River► 2) The Arno River2) The Arno River► 3) The Tiber River3) The Tiber River► Rome was built on the banks of the Tiber river, 24km from Rome was built on the banks of the Tiber river, 24km from

the coast.the coast.► Rome controlled trade on the river and throughout the Rome controlled trade on the river and throughout the

Mediterranean.Mediterranean.► Romans built on the port of Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber Romans built on the port of Ostia at the mouth of the Tiber

to accommodate ships too large to travel up the river.to accommodate ships too large to travel up the river.

ClimateClimate

► Mediterranean climate has rainy winters and hot , dry Mediterranean climate has rainy winters and hot , dry summers.summers.

► Po River had a continental climate with moderate winter Po River had a continental climate with moderate winter snow, summer rain and a wet spring and fall.snow, summer rain and a wet spring and fall.

QuestionsQuestions

►1. What geographic features put Rome 1. What geographic features put Rome in a good position to:in a good position to: Establish control over the Italian peninsula?Establish control over the Italian peninsula? Establish a large empire in the Establish a large empire in the

Mediterranean region?Mediterranean region?2. What obstacles do you think the physical 2. What obstacles do you think the physical

environment posed for the development of environment posed for the development of a large empire?a large empire?

3. Compare and contrast the geographic 3. Compare and contrast the geographic features with those of Greece.features with those of Greece.

1. What geographic features put 1. What geographic features put Rome in a good position to:Rome in a good position to:

Establish control over the Italian peninsula?Establish control over the Italian peninsula?► Rome is located next to water (Mediterranean and Rome is located next to water (Mediterranean and

Tiber). This made it easier for Romans to travel to other Tiber). This made it easier for Romans to travel to other areas and take over. areas and take over.

► Rome is on the west side (better harbours). There was Rome is on the west side (better harbours). There was lots trade on the west side. Rome was also at the mouth lots trade on the west side. Rome was also at the mouth of the Tiber. It had a growing economy, which meant a of the Tiber. It had a growing economy, which meant a growing population and more power. growing population and more power.

Establish a large empire in the Mediterranean Establish a large empire in the Mediterranean region?region?

► Located in the middle of the Mediterranean and it was Located in the middle of the Mediterranean and it was easy to go to other countries.easy to go to other countries.

2. What obstacles do you think 2. What obstacles do you think the physical environment posed the physical environment posed for the development of a large for the development of a large

empire?empire?►Alps – barrier to traveling northwardsAlps – barrier to traveling northwards►Appenines – split the country in twoAppenines – split the country in two

3. Compare and contrast the 3. Compare and contrast the geographic features with those geographic features with those

of Greece.of Greece.Italian PeninsulaItalian Peninsula GreeceGreece

MountainsMountains

CoastalCoastal

Lack of fertile landLack of fertile land

3 times bigger3 times bigger

Centre of the Centre of the MediterraneanMediterranean

MountainsMountains

Coastal Coastal

Lack of fertile landLack of fertile land

EastEast