Question

Map of the Eastern and Western Roman empires around 330 CE. Areas belonging to the Western Roman Empire include Britain, Gaul, Spain, Italy, and sections of Northern Africa. The city of Rome is labeled in the Western Roman Empire. Areas belonging to the Eastern Roman Empire include Thrace, Macedonia, Greece, and Egypt. The cities of Constantinople and Anatolia are labeled in the Eastern Roman Empire. The Western and Eastern Roman empires encircle the Mediterranean Sea. The Black Sea borders the northeastern area of the Eastern Roman Empire.

What natural barrier formed the southern border of the Roman Empire?

The Mediterranean Sea
The Alps Mountain range
The Black Sea
The Sahara Desert

Answer 1

The Sahara Desert formed the natural southern border of the Roman Empire, presenting a formidable barrier that contained the empire's southern expansion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The natural barrier that formed the southern border of the Roman Empire is the Sahara Desert. The Roman Empire at its height under Emperor Trajan in 117 CE encompassed the Mediterranean region, including parts of Northern Africa. However, the vast and inhospitable Sahara Desert presented a natural boundary that limited the expansion of Roman control and influence to the south. Thus, the Sahara stood as the southern edge against which the Romans consolidated their power, with borders fortified by intricate systems of fortifications, known as the limes, which included permanent garrisons and fortresses.