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
__________ Mountains
_____________
Mt. ___________