1. Geography of Rome
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2. Objectives Describe the geography of the Italian peninsula.
Explain why such geography would attract human settlement.
Describe Rome’s legendary founding.

3. The Big Picture
700 B.C. – people from Sparta and other city-states began leaving Greece
Not all people left Greece, just some people
Many sailed to west to present-day Italy
The land was rich and fertile there
While Sparta and Athens got powerful in Greece, Rime started to form
Eventually Rome would conquer Greece

4. A “Boot”! Peninsula, part of European continent
Juts out into Mediterranean Sea like a kicking boot!
The island west of the “toe” is Sicily
many Greek colonists settled there because of its fertile land

5. The Alps North border = Alps
The Alps wall off the Italian peninsula from the rest of Europe
(Just like the Himalayas separate India from the rest of Asia!)

6. The Apennine Mountains
Form a giant “backbone” through the Italian peninsula
Towering height makes it difficult to travel across the peninsula
Apennines lack rich soil
There is more sheep herding than farming here

7. The Latium Plain Located on the west coast of central Italy
The Tiber River runs through the center of this plain
Rome rises here!

8. The Legend of Romulus and Remus
Twin boys were born, Romulus and Remus
King was afraid the boys would steal his throne and gave orders to throw the boys into the Tiber River
The boys didn’t drown and were rescued by a wolf

9. The Legend of Romulus and Remus
A shepherd came upon the wolf’s den and took the boys home
Romulus and Remus grew up to be strong and brave
The boys founded a city where they were rescued by the wolf
The two brothers fought over naming the city
Romulus killed Remus; the city was named after its first king, Romulus

10. Romulus and Remus: Video

11. “City of Seven Hills”
Romulus and Remus story is a legend… so how did Rome really come to be?
When Rome developed, it expanded across seven hills
Hills helped to protect Rome from attack
Tiber River acted as a “highway”

12. “City of Seven Hills” Rome was also surrounded by inactive volcanoes
Earlier eruptions made the soil very fertile
People were able to grow many different crops
Grapevines
In time, Italy’s fine wines became one of its most valued trade goods

13. Peoples of the Peninsula
Before Rome was founded, Etruscans settled there
The Etruscans and Romans would eventually fight – in the end, the leading families of Rome overthrew their Etruscan king

14. Sum It Up
At the base of Italy’s two mountain ranges – the Alps and the Apennines – lie fertile regions (such as the Latium plain).
Italy’s fertile plains were well used by local farmers as well as colonists from Ancient Greece.
The city of Rome was founded on seven hills. They helped to protect it from attack.
Etruscan kings ruled Rome before being overthrown by Romans in 509 B.C.

15. Think About It
Why did grapes become an important crop in ancient Italy?
How did Rome come to be founded, according to legend?
Why was the location of Rome a good place for a city?
What were the causes of farmers’ success at growing grapevines in Italy?
How did the mountains of Italy affect communication and transportation?