Trade and the Roman Empire
Map 8.5 highlights the sophisticated trade network of the Roman Empire -and with good reason, since the rise of empire and the development of trade were related. To explore this connection between trade and empire, answer the following questions.

4. What was so important about the location of the Roman Empire? What role did Rome play in long-distance trade with other places?

5. The map shows that various routes came together at several cities in the Roman Empire, indicating these cities as trade centers. Match the cities listed with routes that met there. Which one seems to have been the largest trade center?

6. Two important economic factors facilitated trade in the Roman Empire. What were they?