He started Rome near the Tiber River because of its great advantages and because it was the only major water source near there. Advantages to living near the Tiber River included fresh water for drinking and providing fresh water for irrigation for crops.

Several geographic advantages helped Rome to grow and ultimately dominate the known world.

• Protection From Invasion. Two mountain ranges, the Alps and the Apennines, helped to protect Rome from invasion.
• Fertile Land.
• Center of Trade.
• Diversity of Population.

What were the advantages of Rome’s location? The hills to protect the people from floods and attacks and the Tiber River for water.

The waters of the Tiber were not potable. Hence the Romans got their drinking water from wells and, eventually, from the great aqueducts with pure sources in the hills and mountains far from Rome.

Spartacus Revolt

A Simple Yet Powerful Economy Agriculture and trade dominated Roman economic fortunes, only supplemented by small scale industrial production. The staple crops of Roman farmers in Italy were various grains, olives, and grapes.

Even as Rome was under attack from outside forces, it was also crumbling from within thanks to a severe financial crisis. Constant wars and overspending had significantly lightened imperial coffers, and oppressive taxation and inflation had widened the gap between rich and poor.

The Roman economy during the Roman Republic, was largely agrarian and centered on the trading of commodities such as grain and wine.

Rome, Italy has a population of nearly 2.9 million people and is considered to be one of Europe’s most significant cities. Notwithstanding its status as a city rich with culture and history, Rome is also a victim of poverty. Today, more than 16 percent of the country’s population lives in poverty.

Rich Romans borrowed and lent money to each other, and some stored their money in banks. The Roman government made money by fighting wars and by charging taxes on things that people bought. When the Romans took over another country, the people living there had to pay taxes to Rome.

Because they were always occupied by devout workers and priests and regularly patrolled by soldiers, wealthy Romans felt they were safe places to deposit money. Money was commonly stored in various different temples for both practical and security reasons as a temple could catch fire or be ransacked.

The poor lived in the dirtiest, noisiest, most crowded parts of the city. Their houses were poorly constructed. These four- and five-story apartment buildings usually lacked heat, water, and kitchens. The rooms of the poor had not much furniture, perhaps only a chair or stool and a bed.

Farmer – Most of the Romans who lived in the countryside were farmers. The most common crop was wheat which was used to make bread. Soldier – The Roman Army was large and needed soldiers. The army was a way for the poorer class to earn a regular wage and to gain some valuable land at the end of their service.

For wealthy Romans, life was good. They lived in beautiful houses – often on the hills outside Rome, away from the noise and the smell. They enjoyed an extravagant lifestyle with luxurious furnishings, surrounded by servants and slaves to cater to their every desire.

Occupation of the Poor in Ancient Rome The poor people generally had to work as unskilled workers, getting themselves hired on a daily basis to perform a variety of menial jobs. They were known as a mercenarius—the modern equivalent word being ‘mercenary’—meaning a person who works for money.

In Ancient Rome it was highly uncommon for poor people to cook at home and many of them would take their food to the baker who would then cook it in the oven. The other, more common option was to purchase food from the local thermopolium.

Rome contributed to democracy by creating a government where the people ruled. When the founding fathers established the US government, they based it partly on the Roman style of government and divided the government into different branches, including the Senate, the House of Representatives, and a judicial system.

The Roman Forum

Here we are in the heart of Ancient Rome, the heart, therefore, of the entire Roman Empire. This is the Forum.