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Early Rome was mainly agricultural as most pre-industrial societies. When it was an average sized town by the standards of the day, many inhabitants were engaged in agriculture or pastoralism. Rome's area had average quality soil fertility. Already at an early time, Rome expanded, seizing nearby territory to ensure adequate food supplies as many independent towns did in those days.

Other factors that played a part in the settlement of Rome were the existence of several hills close to each other (people liked to settle on hills because they were easier to defend against raiding which was common in those days), a good water supply, volcanic rock (which made for good building material) and the river Tiber. Rome was by the only Ford on this river, which made her the main north-south crossing point, and thus a good location for trade. Eventually, the river also facilitated trade from the sea. A port was built on the rive near the Palatine Hill.

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12y ago

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