The Geographic Extent of the Roman Empire
At its zenith, during the 2nd century AD under the reign of Emperor Trajan (98–117 AD), the Roman Empire stretched across three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its borders were vast, and it controlled regions of unparalleled geographic diversity, from the cold northern reaches of Britain to the deserts of Egypt, and from the plains of Mesopotamia to the hills of Spain.
Europe
In Europe, the Roman Empire's territories covered modern-day Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Portugal, Britain, the Balkans, Turkey, and parts of Germany, Hungary, and Romania. The empire’s presence in these regions influenced the development of law, language, architecture, and culture, laying the foundation for much of European civilization.
The Roman Empire's northernmost border was marked by Hadrian's Wall in Britain, which was built by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD to defend against raids by northern tribes. To the east, the empire expanded into what is now Romania, where it conquered Dacia, and reached as far as the Black Sea and the Caucasus Mountains.
Africa
In Africa, the Roman Empire controlled territories along the Mediterranean coast, including modern-day Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Egypt. Egypt was of particular importance, as it was a major grain producer that fed the city of Rome. The Romans also established a network of colonies and cities throughout North Africa, which became an important cultural and economic hub within the empire.
Asia
In Asia, the Roman Empire extended into parts of the modern Middle East and Central Asia. The empire controlled the region of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and much of the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Anatolian Peninsula (modern Turkey), Syria, Palestine, and parts of Arabia. The Romans also made incursions into Parthian territory, although they were never able to fully secure the region. shutdown123