ROMA

Speranza

Of the seven hills of Rome, those NEARER the Tevere were first occupied, but only the PALATIVM ("Palazzo") combined steep slopes, adequate space ofr a town, and link to the north-east with lands above the flood plain.

Near this site was the LOWEST bridge-point on the largest river of the peninsula, the head of estuarine navigation in a sea which the Romans created as their 'mare clausum'.