The City of Rome

History a question of geography

The foundation myth

Romulus and Remus are Rome's twin founders in its traditional foundation myth. They are descendants of the Trojan prince and refugee Aeneas, and are fathered by the god Mars or the demi-god Hercules on a royal Vestal Virgin, Rhea Silvia, whose uncle exposes them to die in the wild. They are found by a she-wolf who suckles and cares for them. The twins are eventually restored to their regal birthright, acquire many followers and decide to found a new city.

Romulus wishes to build the new city on the Palatine Hill; Remus prefers the Aventine Hill They agree to determine the site through augury. Romulus appears to receive the more favourable signs but each claims the results in his favour. In the disputes that follow, Remus is killed.

BRONZE AGE TO IRON AGE SETTLEMENT

Draining of the Marshes

Forum as the Civic Centre

Mountains, Hills and Plains

Regions, Rivers, Cities and Seas

Colonisation& Influence

The Etruscans 8th-7th century BC

B. The Greeks

Colonization, 750-550 B.C.

Southern Italy

Romanization or Acculturation

Romanization was essentially a political and urbanizing process. Its benefit was that it further allowed a process of acculturation rather than assimilation not just tolerating but embracing different art, architecture and religious beliefs

All Roads lead to Rome

THE ROMAN EMPIRE

THE ROMAN EMPIRE BY 264 BC

THE PUNIC WARS

The First Punic War

264-241BC

The Second Punic War 218-201BC (Hannibal)

Battle of Zama and Scipio Africanus

The Third Punic War

149-146BC

THE ROMAN EMPIRE BY 133 BC

Expansion East and West

Rome”s Expansion under powerful Generals

Marius

Pompey

Caesar

THE ROMAN EMPIRE BY 44 BC

THE ROMAN EMPIRE BY AD 284

Empire and Trade

How did Geography allow Rome to grow as a city and become the

Center of the worlds largest empire?