Rome’s Geography and Founding

The Founding of Rome According to legend,

Rome was founded by Romulus & Remus in 753 BC.

They were sons of the god of war Mars, raised by a female wolf, and eventually fought over their new city.

Romulus kills his brother Remus and names Rome after himself.

Dominating the Ancient World

They conquered many areas in which you learned about already.

Greece Egypt Asia

Rivers of Rome There are several

rivers that flow out of Italy’s mountains.

Rome started as a small town on the Tiber River.

Its location & good climate were important factors in its success & growth.

There were few harbors for trade, so they traded with each other.

Italy Italy, where Rome

was built, is a peninsula in Southern Europe.

It looks like a high-heeled boot sticking out into the Mediterranean Sea.

Ready to kick the nearby island of Sicily

Mountainous Land

There are two major Mountain Ranges in Italy.

To the North there are the Alps. Europe's highest mountain range.

The Apennines runs the length of the peninsula.

This made it hard to travel from one side to the other. But the mountains are less rugged than Greece.

Volcanic

Also, some of the mountains are volcanic like Mt. Vesuvius.

These eruptions could destroy Roman towns.

Hills of Rome Since the Apennines

mountains run through the peninsula much of Italy is not flat.

When there are not mountains, there are hills.

Rome was built on seven hills.

Founded on Palatine Hill.

Strategic location: hills, river, slightly inland.

Rome’s Climate

Warm, dry Summers

Mild, rainy Winters

Its climate allows for a variety of crops Citrus fruits Grapes Olives

This food supply led to Rome’s success