Geography of Rome

Introduction

The Roman civilization flourished from about 700 B.C.E. to about 476 C.E. It began in the ancient city of Rome. 

Rome is located in Italy, which includes a peninsula and islands in southern Europe. The Italian peninsula is shaped a lot like a boot and reaches into the Mediterranean Sea with its toe pointed toward the island of Sicily.

The Romans have a myth about the founding of their city. Long ago, the story explains, a princess gave birth to twin sons, Romulus and Remus. The boys’ father was Mars, the Roman god of war. The princess’s uncle—the king—was afraid the boys would grow up to take his throne, so he ordered his men to drown them in the Tiber (TIE-bur) River. However, before the twins drowned, a wolf rescued them.

When Romulus and Remus grew up, they decided to construct a town on the banks of the Tiber River where the wolf had found and saved them. However, in a quarrel over who would rule the new settlement, Romulus killed his brother. He became king of the city, which he named Rome.

The tale of Romulus and Remus is a colorful myth, but in this lesson you will learn about the real founding of Rome. You will learn how Rome’s location on the Italian peninsula brought it in contact with two neighboring groups. Interaction with these groups, the Etruscans and the Greeks, influenced Roman culture in the fields of engineering, sports, architecture, writing, art, and religion.