PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

Foreword
From its beginning in the 8th century BC
to the fall of the Western Empire in the
5th century AD, the Roman era lasted over
1 200 years, outlasting all other empires.
Professor John Wacher, a leading authority
on the history of Rome, believes it was one
of the ‘most influential empires of all time’.
Rome’s huge empire surrounded the
Mediterranean Sea, extending from the
Sahara Desert to the River Rhine in
northern Europe, and from Spain in the
west to Syria in the east.
The fascinating story of Rome from its beginning as a tiny group of villages in the hills to an empire that
ruled the known world, and then its subsequent decline, has enthralled historians for hundreds of years. Even
when the barbarians brought about the disintegration of the Empire, many aspects of the Roman civilisation
had an enormous influence on the cultures that followed. The ideas passed on were not just Roman but ideas
and literature the Romans gathered from other ancient cultures. Many early Greek writings are only available
to modern experts because the Romans made copies of them.
Under Rome’s control, all the countries in the Empire were united for the only time in their history, a
testimony to the influence of the Romans on the world of that time.
The Roman Empire is one of the greatest success stories in history and well worthy of study by the pupils in
our schools.
This book is dedicated to Samuel and Joseph.
Contents
Curriculum Links ................................................ iii
Foundation of Rome ........................................ 2–3
Romulus and Remus ....................................... 4–7
Destruction of Pompeii ..................................... 8–9
Excavations at Pompeii ................................ 10–11
Roman Legions ............................................ 12–19
Roman Legions – Weapons.......................... 20–21
Roman Slaves ............................................... 22–23
Roman Slaves – Spartacus........................... 24–25
Government – The Republic ........................ 26–27
Roman Gods and Goddesses......................... 28–31
Roman Life – Homes ................................... 32–37
Roman Life – Food ...................................... 38–41
Roman Life – Education .............................. 42–43
Roman Life – Public Baths .......................... 44–45
Roman Life – Entertainment–
Amphitheatres ......................................... 46–47
Roman Life – Entertainment– Circuses ...... 48–49
Roman Life – Entertainment – Theatres .... 50–51
Roman Life – Entertainment –
Children’s Games..................................... 52–53
Farming ........................................................ 54–55
Farming Tools .............................................. 56–57
Trade ............................................................. 58–59
Roman Technology – Aqueducts ................. 60–61
Roman Technology ...................................... 62–63
Roman Women ............................................ 64–65
Roman Life – Language .............................. 66–67
Roman Life – Numbers ................................ 68–69
Romans in Britain ........................................ 70–71
Romans in Britain – Hadrian ...................... 72–73
Romans in Britain – Boudica ...................... 74–75
Romans in Britain –
Some Important Sites .............................. 76–77
The First Emperor – Augustus ..................... 78–79
Viewing Sample
Enemies of Rome – Hannibal...................... 80–81
Enemies of Rome – Alaric............................ 82–83
The Fall of Rome .......................................... 84–85
The Legacy of Rome ........................................... 86
Activity 1 – Roman Quiz .................................... 87
Activity 2 – Roman Coins ................................... 88
Activity 3 – Time Line Game .............................. 89
Activity 4 – Coordinates ...................................... 90
Answers ............................................................... 91
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