1. Geography of Italy and the Rise of Rome

2. Geography of Italy Located at 42° 50’ N, 12° 50’ E Europe Boot-shaped peninsula Slightly larger than the state of Arizona Only about ¼ of the land is arable (able to be used for farming)

3. Seas Around Italy Mediterranean Sea –the largest inland sea –between Europe, Africa, and Asia Adriatic Sea –between Italy and the Balkan Peninsula Ionian Sea –between Southern Italy (by heel of boot) and Greece Tyrrhenian Sea –between Italy and the islands of Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily Ligurian Sea –between Northwest coast of Italy and the island of Corsica

4. Neighboring Islands Corsica –southeast of France, north of Sardinia, and west of Italy –Birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte Sardinia –settled by Phoenicians, Greeks, and Carthaginians before the sixth century B.C. –taken by Rome in 238 B.C. Sicily –the “football” that the boot of Italy appears to be kicking –separated from the Italian mainland by the narrow Strait of Messina –largest Mediterranean island

5. Major Rivers Po River –flows from the Alps near the French border, through Turin, and eastward into the Adriatic Sea Tiber River –flows from the north- central Apennines, south through Rome, and into the Tyrrhenian Sea

6. Mountain Ranges Alps –located along the north of Italy, along modern-day border with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia Apennines –run through the center of Italy

7. Climate Mild, “Mediterranean” climate –Warm, dry summers –Mild, rainy winters The far north is cold and mountainous; the south is rugged, hot and dry Similar to Greece Good for growing grapes, olives, and wheat

8. People of Ancient Italy Etruscans lived mostly in northern and west- central Italy Latins lived along the Tiber River. Founded the city of Rome

9. Etruscans Heavily traded with the Greeks and the Phoenicians –Etruscans sent lumber, furs, and probably slaves to the East –They bought jewelry, spices, perfume, and Greek vases from the East

10. Etruscans Lived mostly in northern and west-central Italy, from the Po Valley to the Tiber River Their region was known as Tuscany stone walls stone temples canals and ditches to irrigate crops Monarchy with powerful rulers

11. Latins Aeneas, hero of Virgil’s Aeneid –According to legend…. Trojan War hero After the war, he traveled to Italy Made an alliance with the Latin tribe Helped them conquer much of Italy His family ruled Italy for centuries

12. Geography of Rome West central Italy On the banks of the Tiber River Seven Hills –Quirinal (Quirinalis) –Viminal (Viminalis) –Esquiline (Espuiliae) –Caelian (Caelius) –Aventine (Aventinus) –Palatine (Palatium) –Capitoline (Capitolium) Queen Victoria Eyes Caesar's Awfully Painful Corns

13. Founding of Rome Romulus and Remus –Descendents of Aeneas –Raised by a wolf !?!? –Leaders of a Latin clan –753 BC Established a new settlement on the Palatine Hill along the Tiber River Named “Rome” after Romulus Read about the founding of Rome at http://www.freewalt.com/socialstudies/history/wo rld/grecoroman/romans/romulusremus.htm http://www.freewalt.com/socialstudies/history/wo rld/grecoroman/romans/romulusremus.htm

14. Latins vs. Etruscans In early 600’s BC, the Etruscans conquered Rome They brutally ruled for over 100 years The Latins (the people of Rome) rebelled According to legend, the last Etruscan ruler, Tarquin the Proud, was expelled in 509 BC

15. Latins Latins expelled the Etruscans Regained control of Rome Vowed to never again have kings rule over them Established the Roman Republic in 509 BC –Got the idea for a republic from the Greeks –Plato’s book “Republic”