Question

(02.02 MC) Use the map below, based on a map from the sixth century BCE, to answer the following question:

A map of the world dating back to the sixth century BCE is shown. Land masses labeled Europe, Asia, and Libya encircle a body of water, as two oceans surround them on either side. Several islands populate the body of water between Europe, Asia, and Libya, including one labeled Syracuse, just south of the Italian peninsula.
Public Domain
What conclusion can be drawn about the location of the city of Syracuse?
A. It was built on the coastline due to easy access to the Red Sea.
B. It was built on the coastline due to easy access to the Mediterranean Sea.
C. It was built inland to protect it from invaders sailing in from the Mediterranean Sea.
D. It was built inland to protect it from invaders sailing in from the Red Sea.

Answer 1

The city of Syracuse was built on the coastline due to easy access to the Mediterranean Sea, thereby facilitating trade and defense against invaders.

Step-by-step explanation:

The city of Syracuse is known to have been located on the island of Sicily, south of the Italian peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea, not the Red Sea. When examining the historical geography of ancient civilizations, particularly around the Mediterranean Sea, Syracuse was a prominent city due to its strategic coastal location which facilitated trade, commerce, and military operations. It was one of the many areas that experienced a cultural blend due to continuous interactions between different civilizations like the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans.

Therefore, the conclusion that can be drawn about the location of the city of Syracuse is that it was built on the coastline due to easy access to the Mediterranean Sea (Option B). This location offered significant advantages including maritime trade routes and effective defense mechanisms against potential invaders coming by sea. Such strategic locations were common for ancient cities, especially in the context of the trading networks and colonial expansions that occurred in the Mediterranean region.