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Ancient Rome Geography
Geography of Ancient Rome
The Romans weren't the first ancient civilization to carve out a large empire. But they conquered faster farther and held
the empire together longer than prior civilizations. The geography of both ancient Rome and the territories it conquered
had a great impact on the nation's ability to wage campaigns. Eventually, the ability of the Romans to master their
geography through technology led to an empire that lasted for several centuries.
What Was the Physical Geography of Rome Like?
Ancient Rome was rooted in modern Italy. Along with its distinctive peninsular boot-shape, the country is mostly very
rough, with mountains and hills dominating the geography. Because Rome was such a thin peninsula, the sea was
incredibly important in the people's lives, providing a source of food and a ready method of travel. Finally, because of
the Mediterranean climate, Ancient Rome had the advantage of mild weather year-round, which allowed a longer
growing season, partly making up for the poorer growing conditions in some areas.
What Were the Geographical Boundaries of the Roman Empire?
From modern-day Italy, the ancient Roman empire spread into northern Africa, as well as Greece, Spain, and parts of
western Asia by 133 B.C. In the decades that followed, the empire continued to expand under the leadership of Caesar
Augustus, conquering Gaul (France), Syria, and more of Asia. Emperor Hadrian followed and conquered Great Britain,
parts of Germany, and more of north Africa and Asia. The empire reached its height in A.D. 200.
How Did the Geography of Their World Challenge the Romans?
To leave Rome and head north, soldiers, travelers, merchants, and citizens had to cross the forbidding Alps. To go any
other direction, the Romans had to take to the sea. At the empire's height, thousands of miles of sea and land trade
routes were needed to connect the far-flung empire and allow goods to move. This required a network of roads and
ships, along with a large bureaucracy to manage it all. In the end, it was the size of the empire that was its undoing, with
invaders pouring in from the north and east, hundreds of miles from the capital.
In What Ways Did the Romans Master Their World?
The ancient Romans were master road builders. In fact, the legionnaires built roads as they fought and conquered.
When the army entered a territory, its rear guard built roads to allow supplies and men to continue moving. In addition,
the hilly terrain and dry soil of some parts of the Roman empire required irrigation to grow the crops needed. The
Romans solved this problem by building stone aqueducts to carry water. Finally, an organized system of trade allowed
the Romans to move goods all over the empire. Lead came from northern Great Britain, gold came from Africa, and
horses came from the Middle East, all feeding into the empire.
The Romans ruled much of the world for several centuries. The geography of Italy allowed the fledgling empire to
remain isolated while it grew stronger. Eventually, the empire spread through most of Europe and into Africa and Asia,
where the vastness of the territory created challenges that the Romans dealt with through road building and
organization. Eventually, it was the vast and porous nature of Rome's borders that allowed tribes from eastern Europe
to penetrate the empire and bring it to its knees.