How did geography of the Italian peninsula influence the development of the roman empire?

Answer 1

Hey, this is the same question that was killing me when I was in sixth grade. But now I know it, so here it is! Except theres alot of extra details, so yea. But anyways, Rome itself, as an ancient city, had a perfect position for expansion and domination in the Italian peninsula. Located on multiple hills, Rome was a very defendable city. It was built over a river, connecting it to the sea and further inland for trade. It was not a coastal city, something very important in ancient times. Unlike a coastal city, Rome could not be surprised by any attackers. It had plenty of forewarning if anyone approached. Also, coastal cities can be prone to foreign influence. Rome was not, allowing it to create and maintain a powerful Roman culture. (read Cicero's works concerning Romulus and the founding of Rome)

In the Mediterranean, Rome was an excellent position. As a peninsula it only had to fear land attacks from the North, thus protecting three out of four of its borders by water. Even the Northern border was guarded by the massive Alps. Thus, few land campaigns were successful against Rome. (Celts, Hannibal, Huns?)

The sea offered innumerous trade opportunities, and after the first destruction of Carthage in 216(?) BC, Rome was the powerhouse in all of the Mediterannean coast. In this way, Rome easily spread its influence around the whole region, using its powerful army to quell any problem-makers. Rome established itself in Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Carthage, and Spain very quickly as the rulers of those waters.

Answer 2

The geography of the Italian peninsula affected Romes development by directing the directions in which it expanded Rome grew gradually absorbing or conquering its neighbor which eventually led to controlling the entire peninsula

Answer 3

It provided the basis on which Rome expanded - militarily and economically - and was the springboard for its growing ambitions to dominate first Western Europe, then Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Answer 4

the location of the peninsula contributed to roman control of the Mediterranean region.

Answer 5

the location of the peninsula contributed to roman control of the mediterranean region.