The answer is to prevent a British invasion from the north because it would have been very easy for Britan to destroy them because they were weak in the north.
The downfall of the Babylonian Empire and other societies was partly caused by unwise land-use which resulted in desertification.
Italy is shaped like a boot that make it good location because a lot of cities were on the water, and cities were a perfect place to sell or trade goods. Hope it help!
Wait did you already get it?