Geography of the Italian Peninsula

The Rise of the Roman Republic  Rome lies near the center of the Italian Peninsula on the western side.  Less rugged landscape Greece  Soldiers could march from one area to the next  Easily united  Rivers provided water and transportation route  Several large, flat plains  Good agriculture  Region called Latium  Latins were the group of people who lived in and around Rome

Earliest Days  Historians are unsure exactly how Rome was founded  Legend of Romulus and Remus  First settled in Rome circa 800 B.C.E.  Built villages on tops of hills and eventually the villages turned into a single town

The City Grows  Forum  Open area in a city filled with public buildings, temples, and markets  Natural Advantages  Hills gave natural defense  Tiber River gave access to ports but was too shallow for large boats to use  Key trade route

From Monarchy to Republic  Began as an independent city state  The Roman Kings  Had broad powers  Served as head of the army, chief priest and supreme judge  Ruled with consent of wealthy aristocrats called the senate  The Founding of the Republic  Over time aristocrats grew tired of royal rule  509 BCE the romans overthrew the king and formed a republic