Geography of the Roman Empire

1. Geography of the Roman Empire 6th Grade Social Studies Piedmont Middle School

2. 7 Hills • The city of Rome was founded on 7 hills along the Tiber River in Italy • The citizens farmed at the base of the hills and lived at the top • This made Rome easier to defend

3. 1- Tiber River • Rome was located about 15 miles from the coast along the Tiber River • The city was built inland so it would be easier to defend • The river provided fresh water and transportation

4. 2- Italian Peninsula • Living on a peninsula was a great advantage to Rome • They had a strong navy and this helped them conquer new territories • They were able to develop trade routes across the Mediterranean Sea • The peninsula had large plains that were excellent for farming • The grew beans, veggies, fruits, grapes, olives

5. 3- Mediterranean Sea • The Mediterranean Sea links 3 continents: • Europe, Africa, and Asia • Connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Strait of Gibraltar

6. 4- Adriatic Sea • In between the Italian Peninsula and the Balkan Peninsula • Part of the Mediterranean Sea • Located to the east of the Italian Peninsula

7. 5- Tyrrhenian Sea • The Tyrrhenian Sea is a part of the Mediterranean Sea • Like the Aegean Sea and Ionian Sea • Located to the west of the Italian Peninsula

8. 6- Alps • The tallest mountain range in Europe (about 13,000 feet tall) • Formed by the collision of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates • Protected Rome to the north

9. 7- Apennines • A mountain range that runs north/south through the Italian Peninsula • These mountains are not nearly as tall as the Alps (about 6,000 feet tall) • Also helped to protect Rome

10. 8- Siciliy • The largest island of the Mediterranean Sea • Separated from the Italian Peninsula by the Strait of Messina

11. 9- Mt. Etna • Located in Sicily • Europe’s largest and most active volcano • Last erupted in 2013 • News Report (2002) • Time Lapse (2013)

12. Mt. Etna eruption in 2002

13. 10- Corsica • Corsica is a French Territory • About 300,000 people live on the island • About half as many people as Charlotte

14. 11- Sardinia • The second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea • Located to the west of the Italian Peninsula in the Tyrrhenian Sea

15. Modern Rome • Today, over 4 million people live in Rome • It is the 4th largest city in Europe • behind London (1st), Paris (2nd), and Berlin (3rd)

16. Modern Rome • Home to the Colosseum, one of the most famous buildings in the world • Built around 70 CE • Vatican City is located in Rome • It is the world’s smallest country • The Catholic Church headquarters (where the pope lives)

17. Advantages • Located in an area with a mild and humid climate • Didn’t get too cold and got plenty of rain • Good farmland • Geographic barriers protected Rome, but did not stop trade

18. Critical Thinking • What made the city of Rome well protected? • What factors allowed the Roman Empire to expand? • What do you think the most important geographic features were to the Romans?

19. ___________ River ___________ Peninsula ________________ Sea ________________ Sea ________________ Sea __________ Mountains __________ Mountains _____________ Mt. ___________ _____________ _____________