Mediterranean
 < medius, "middle" + terra, "land"

Mediterranean as organic region

Fernand Braudel, The Mediterranean & the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II (1949)

Physical Geography
o Geological trough
o Ring of mountains (Apennines, Alps, Pyrenees, Atlas)
o Earthquakes, Volcanic Activity
o Internal seas (Aegean, Adriatic ...)
o Distinct regions (N. Africa, Spain & Gaul, Italy, Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt)

Mediterranean Climate
o Winter rains; summer droughts
o Irregular supply of water
o Outdoor orientation

Mediterranean Life

Sheep- and Goat-herding
o "Transhumance" (< humus "soil")
o False idealization of pastoral life

Fishing
o Anchovies, Sardines, Tuna
o Garum: Fish-sauce

Agriculture
o "Dry Farming"
o Oxen as primary farm animal
o Vines & Olives
o Wheat, Barley

Transport
o Land (slow & expensive)
o Water (rivers, sea) preferable

Products of Trade
o Grain, wine, oil
o Timber, raw materials, pottery, slaves

Italy & Rome

Apennine Mts. separate N/S, E/W

Northern Italy = Cisalpine Gaul
 (cis = "on this side of", vs. 'transalpine')

West Central Italy
 o Etruria (> Etruscans)
 o Latium (incl. Rome)
 o Campania (around Naples)

Southern Italy & Sicily = Magna Graecia
 ("Greater Greece")

Rome
 o River Tiber
 o Ostia: Harbor suburb at Tiber mouth
 o "City of the Seven Hills"