Geography of the Roman Empire

Italy is bisected by the Apennines mountains. They are however, less ruggard then the mountains of Greece andcommunities were not as isolated as they were in Greece. There was more agricultural land available in Italy then in Greece, thus making it possible to support a much larger population. Rome itself is located 18 miles inland on the Tiber River. It was far enough inland to be protected from pirates, yet access to the sea was easy. Romewas built on a series of hill tops that was easily defensible.