Ancient Roman Geography 

Ancient Rome which is the middle one of the three peninsulas which form the south of Europe is just like a long pier-head jutted out from Europe towards the northern coast of Africa. On the north, Rome is bounded by the Alps while the Mediterranean Sea is located from its west and south. On the east, it is bounded by the Adriatic Sea. Rome majorly includes two regions; the northern, continental and the southern, peninsula. Basically these two regions are contrasted to each other in their physical characteristics. The total land area of both these two regions is around 91200 square miles where the peninsula is slightly larger than the continental region.

Continental portion in the northern part of  Rome consists of Alps which is irregularly extended over 1200 miles and it looks like a lofty wall when it is observed from Roman side. The low land plain is largely occupied with by the valley of river Po which starts from the western Alps and flows eastwards for 360 miles to the Adriatic Sea while receiving many tributaries along its route. As the plain around this river has been built up by the deposit of silt from the river, it has a rich alluvial soil. Also the Alpine rivers furnish an abundant supply of water throughout the year thus enhancing opportunities for the improvement of agricultural sector of north Roman plain.

The southern part of Rome, the peninsula is a long, narrow peninsula with a length of 650 miles and a breath of 125 miles. The Apennines, a long mountain range which runs through the middle of the peninsula is contrasted to the plains of Po, which it is an endless diversity of hill and valley. This portion consists of rivers of considerable length which are navigable for small craft. The Volturnus, the Liris, the Tiber and the Arno are some such examples and these rivers link the coast with the highlands of the interior. Both to the north and south of Tiber River there are volcanoes like Vesuvius; near the bay of Naples, Stromboli; on one of the Lipari Island which have been done a considerable damage to the world at large. But the effects of these volcanic ashes are beneficial to Romans that those are being used as useful soil for construction activities as well as for cultivation of vineyards.

There is regularity in the Roman coast line when it is compared with Greek coast line. This coast line which is about 2000 miles in length consists of few deep bays with good harbors and almost all these harbors are on the southern and western shores. On the Adriatic, the chief harbor was at Brindisium which was far down in Italy. On the southern shore there was Tarentum at the head of the gulf of Tarentum. On the gulf of Genoa, the port of Genoa was located and on west there was the Bay of Naples.

When the climate of Rome is considered, it can be observed that Rome too has a climate with a high average of temperature but it is to be noted that it varies in different localities, according to their northern or southern situation, their elevation and their proximity to the sea.

Rome had an abundant forest growth than most of other Mediterranean countries. The southern slopes of Alps and the Po valley had a huge forest density that the Po valley was full of oaks, beeches and chestnuts. Not only in that part but also great forests flourished on the chain of mountains of Apennines, especially along the Ligurian coast, in southern Etruria and in the valleys of the river Tiber and its tributaries. Latium was another area which produced large quantities of fir, pine and beech. Even the mountains in the toe of Rome had supplied a great quantity of timber. It is said that a single pine was furnished as the mast for the largest ship of ancient times which is built for King Hiero of Syracuse in the second half of the third century B.C. Roman timber has been famous for ship building in ancient times and there had been a great demand for timber from Carthaginians, Etruscans and Greeks. Timber had been used for construction of roofs and floor beams in households. Apart from the high density forests, Rome also had shrub lands which were full of laurel, myrtle and similar small trees. The oak, beech and chestnut groves were rich fodder for herds of swine.

Rome was not that much rich in possession of minerals. In ancient times, the major minerals used in Rome were copper and iron. Etruria, Liguria and Sardinia were the key places where copper was mined. Iron was mined majorly on the island of Elba off the coast of Etruria. Apart from copper and silver, Tin was found in Etruria and silver in Sardinia. Salt was mined in Sicily as well as obtained from the salt marshes at the mouth of the river Tiber and also along the west coast of central Rome. Places like Latium, Etruria and many other parts of Rome had quality clay for making bricks, tiles and pottery. It has been abundant to build stones of various sorts using marble during ancient times.

Rome was essentially an agricultural and pastoral country from early days. The low land areas yielded various crops of grain like millet, maize, wheat and barley while peas, beans and other vegetables were grown in abundance everywhere. Campania has been possessed a fertile soil and it is said that they have yielded three successive crops annually. The vine, olive and fig too have been grown in Rome and eventually cultivating those have become more profitable than cultivating grains. Apples, pears and other varieties of fruits as well as nuts too were cultivated in Rome. But lemons and oranges were not introduced from east until long after the fall of the Roman Empire. During the rainy season, the coastal low lands and in summer the mountain slopes and upland meadows provided excellent pasturage for sheep, goats, cattle and horses. Stock raising was the next in importance to agriculture among the occupations of the people of Rome.

However, when we go through the history of Rome, it can be understood that this geographical location of Rome has affected Romans in various ways. Highly mountainous environment with natural barriers on all sides enabled Rome to be unaffected by foreign influence during the early periods of Roman history. Specially the seven hills in Rome; Palatine hill, Capitoline hill, Janiculum hill, Coelian hill, Aventine hill, Esquiline hill Quirinal hill and Viminal hill stood as guards to protect Rome from enemies.

The location of Rome in the central position enabled her to spread her authority to both east and west and in course of time she was able to become the mistress of Mediterranean world. The people who dwelled in the mountainous region used to lead a pastoral life and they became a war like tribe with the hard life they had to undergo. People who lived in the fertile plains in the low lands became a community whose occupation was trade and commerce.

There were various tribes living in ancient Rome and Gauls were one. They migrated from a place beyond the Alps and eventually they occupied the plain between the Alps and the Appennines which is known as Lombardy today and settled there.

Legends about foundation of Rome too closely related to the geographical location of Rome. It is said that Romulus and Remus were thrown into the river Tiber after their mother Rhea was put to death. So river Tiber seems to be an important natural resource in Rome since it is related to the origin of Rome.

River Arnos is also another important river which we come across during second Punic Wars. It was on the bank of the river Arnos that Hannibal lost his men, horses and also the sight of one of his eyes.

Out of the seven hills in Rome, Capitoline hill and the Palatine hill become significant because those two hills are related to the legend of rape of the Sabines. It mentions that there were a large number of Sabine inhabitants in Rome who lived on the Capitoline hill and Romans settled on the Palatine hill. A peace treaty was brought forward to conclude the war which had been started after the rape of the Sabines and the two hills had been united to form one city as a result of the peace treaty. Therefore a new city had been established based on these two hills.

Janiculum hill is another important geographical location when political history of Rome is considered. When the republic was established for the first time in Rome in 510 B.C there were three attempts to reestablish monarchy. King Tarquinii with the support of the Etruscan king Porsena marched against Rome and it was at the janiculum hill, that Horatius Coeles made Romans to cross the hill safely before enemies enter.

It can be observed that Roman territory was expanded gradually by making geographically important places as boundaries. For instance, after Palatine hill and Capitoline hill were united, Coelian hill too was added by king Tullus Hostilius to allow people of the city of Alba Longa to settle down there. Later Aventine hill was added to the Roman territory by king Ancus Marcius to settle down inhabitants of Latin towns. Finally it was Servius who added the rest of the three hills in order to complete the extension of the city.

River Allia is another important geographical feature in Rome. The burning of Rome by the Gauls happened in 390 B.C. and there Romans suffered a terrible defeat at the river banks of Allia in 390 B.C. With this defeat Gauls entered the Capitol and burnt the whole city. Therefore the battle at Allia is a decisive battle which allowed Rome to be burnt by Gauls.

Romans were able to expand their territory through the victories gained during the Samnite wars. They fought a decisive battle at the river Veseris at the foot of Mount Vesuvius where Romans became victorious. The war began in 340 B.C. and such geographical features like river Veseris and Mount Vesuvius become significant when history is examined.

Lakes are also another geographical feature which is highlighted in the history of Rome. Lake Regillus is marked as important in the history of Rome because Romans obtained a signal victory at the lake Regillus in 498 B.C. The battle was fought by Tarquin and his son-in-law, Mamilius of Tusculum against Romans as an attempt to restore the reign of Tarquins. But the attempt was failed.

We could hear the name of lake Vadimo when we discuss about the subjugation of Northern Italy by Romans. After the third Samnite war, Romans paid their attention towards Etruscans and Gauls who had renewed hostilities in the north. Therefore a great battle was fought near the lake of Vadimo and Romans were able to obtain the victory over Gauls and Etruscans.

Punic wars were a turning point in Roman history that made Rome mistress of the Mediterranean power. The second Punic war was fought around 218- 202 B.C and the first period was from 218-216 B.C. Romans experienced a great defeat on the shores of the lake Trasimene. Hannibal who led the Carthaginians was able to destroy the whole Roman army though he had lost the sight of one of his eyes. In the march towards Italy by Hannibal, he also defeated Scipio on the lake of Ticinus in 218 B.C. With this victory Hannibal was able to cross the river Po.  

Apart from rivers, lakes and hills there are several places in Rome which has been marked as important when the political history of Rome considered. Almost all these places are crucial places when warfare of Rome is considered.

Latin war fought between Romans and Latins started in 340 B.C and this war lasted for three years. After the war fought at the river Veseris, another battle was fought at Tarifanum and Romans were able to gain the victory there. Therefore Tarifanum is another important place in Rome.

Heraclea is another important place in Rome which becomes a memorable place when Tarentine wars are considered. In 280 B.C Tarentines met Romans with Pyrrhus, king of Epirus in the side of Tarentines at Heraclea and Pyrrhus became victorious. But he lost a large number of his best troops.

Pyrrhus was unable to maintain his victory for longer time that he was defeated by the Roman army led by Consul M. Curius at Beneventum in 275 B.C. Pyrrhus was returned to Epirus and Tarentine war came to an end. Therefore Beneventum is an important place in Rome that it is the place where Tarentine war came to an end. With this victory, the power of whole Southern Italy passes in to the hands of Rome and it was extended over the peninsula.

Lipara is another important place to be recognized when first Punic War is considered. During the second period of first Punic wars Romans felt the necessity of having a fleet and accordingly they built a fleet. The first naval engagement was occurred near Lipara against Carthaginians. But Romans were defeated. However, Lipara is an important place because the first naval engagement of the Punic war was occurred near Lipara.

There were some events that took place between the first and second Punic wars. Gallic wars were some of them. A decisive battle was fought between Romans and Gallic tribe of Boii along with their alliance; Insubres at Talamon in 225 B.C. It can be observed that Talamon is another important place in Rome where Romans were able to extend their territory up to the river Po with this victory at Talamon.

Therefore as mentioned earlier, the position of Rome at the center of the Mediterranean Sea enabled Rome to dominate over other states and the fertile plains of Tuscan, Latium and Campanian were engaged in improving the farming activities of Romans.