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Geography did much to shape the course of events in Italy. (Geography and Early Settlers of Italy Internet) Rome began as a small city-state in Italy but somehow ended up ruling the entire Mediterranean world. The story of the Roman Empires world domination began with the lands they lived on. (Ellis and Esler 130) Rome is centrally located in the Italian peninsula. The Italian peninsula is about 600 miles long and about four times the size of Greece and two-thirds that of California and sticks out into the Mediterranean Sea. (Super Internet) A great mountainous backbone, the Apennines, runs down almost the entire peninsula. This land is not as rugged as Greece, and the mountains do not constitute a barrier to political unification. Therefore a network of roads could be built to link the regions. Furthermore, Rome occupied a strategic position. (Italy: Its Geography and Climate Internet) Rome territory was easy to defend, and once the Romans had begun a career of conquest, they occupied a central position, which made it difficult for their enemies to unite successfully against them.
The strategic position of Rome was repeated on a larger scale by Italy itself. Once Italy was unified, its commanding position invite it to unify the entire Mediterranean world. (Roman Roads Internet) The city of Rome was located fifteen miles from the sea, where the Tiber River becomes too shallow for navigation. This location was far enough from the sea that adequate warning could be given of any attack by sea borne raiders. With the beginning of the navigable portion of the Tiber beginning at Rome, the city had excellent access to the sea and trade routes. Thus making Rome one most productive and a major city for trading. The Romans location helped them to expand their enormous empire first in Italy, and then lands around the Mediterranean.
Italy was much easier to unify than Greece because of its geography. Furthermore, Italy contained broad, fertile plains were the Romans settled. Thus, these plains supported a growing population. (Ellis and Esler 130) Bibliography:
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Research essay sample on Italian Peninsula Strategic Position
