Why Was Rome’s Location Significant?
The location of Rome was significant because it gave the Romans access to trade routes. Also, Rome is central in the Italian peninsula, which made expansion easier, according to HowStuffWorks.com.
Rome was established along the Tiber River. It is about 17 miles northeast of the river’s mouth at the Tyrrhenian Sea. By utilizing these waterways, Romans could participate in maritime trade. In addition, a major north-south trade route ran through Rome, allowing Romans to carry out trade in the city or transport Roman goods to different parts of Europe. Rome’s central location in the Italian peninsula made conquest of the peninsula easier. Once Rome controlled the Italian peninsula, the central Mediterranean location of the peninsula also facilitated the expansion of the Roman Empire.