Author: Ruth Bailey

Key vocabulary

Need to know	Nice to know	Super-specialist
Roman	chariot	amphitheatre
mosaic	Roman numeral	legions
Rome	empire	centurion
BC/AD	invasion	barbarian
Celts	Julius Caesar	mythology
Gods and / Goddesses	emperor	Basilica
shield	Boudicca	pantheon
solider	gladiator	rebellion
Jesus	vandal	republic
sword	Hadrian’s wall	martyr
armour	conquer	colosseum

The Roman Empire

The ancient city of Rome was the center of one of the largest and most powerful empires the world has ever seen. The Roman Empire was based in what is now Italy. As the Roman Empire took over more land and peoples, its influence spread throughout western Europe and into all the lands around the Mediterranean Sea. The achievements of the Romans influenced the languages, literature, laws, methods of government, roads, and buildings of all of western Europe.

ROMAN INVENTIONS:
Sewers— The water in Roman aqueducts along with runoff water from local streams was regularly used to flush the drains and sewers. The flush would then dump all the waste into the nearest river.
Roads—Roman roads usually followed a straight route across the countryside, making travel efficient and fast.
Aqueducts— Aqueducts transported water from rivers, springs, and reservoirs. They used the downhill flow of water to supply the city centers and relied on gravity to maintain a continuous flow.
Newspapers— Rome was the first empire to spread daily, handwritten news called Acta Diurna which translates as “Daily Events.”
Julian calendar— Julius Caeser added July and August to the calendar, giving us 12 months.

753 BC— The building of Rome begins. Rome started as a monarchy with a king who ruled. The first king was called Romulus.
510 BC—Rome becomes a republic. This means that the leader of Rome could be decided by the people.
130BC— The Romans conquer Greece and most of Spain.
0 BC/AD—Jesus is born. This splits BC and AD dates.
43AD— The Romans invade Britain.
61AD—Boudica sets out to overthrow Roman rule but loses.
71AD—The Romans conquer northern England.
122AD—The building of Hadrian’s wall starts. It was build very high to keep out invaders
200AD—Barbarians attack the Roman empire.
235-285AD—Over 20 Roman emperors were killed in 50 years.
410AD— Roman rule in Britain ends.
455AD—Vandals destroy Rome.
476AD— The fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Subject Links:
Geography— To use a map to local cities and roman roads.
Art—To design and create a roman mosaic.
Design and Technology— To prepare and cook flatbreads.
Design and Technology—To design and make a roman shield.
Computing—to research Roman inventions.
English—explore the Roman people through drama.
Maths - To read and recognise Roman numerals.

DID YOU KNOW.......?
Legend says that Rome was founded by twin brothers named Romulus and Remus. When they became adults they went on to develop the area where they were found. Then in a fight over location Romulus killed his brother and became the ruler of the area and named it after himself.

Some texts to support teaching of The Roman Empire:
Step into the world of Ancient Rome (Grandreams) NF
History through the ages (Primary Explorers) NF
Meet the incredible Romans ( John Malam) NF
Romans on the rampage (Jeremy Strong) F

Just like our coins have the head of our Queen on them, the heads of leaders of the Roman Empire were stamped on ancient Roman coins.
The same coins were used throughout the whole Roman Empire. There were gold, silver and brass coins.
They would also have the name of the King or Emperor on the coin around the edge.
The pictures on the coins often announced great events, just as our coins often show important events today.

Websites to explore:
History KS2: Boudica and The Roman Invasion - BBC Teach
History KS2: Life in Roman Britain (animation) - BBC Teach
The Boudica Song | Cut-Throat Celts | Horrible Histories - YouTube
Key people:
Julius Caesar
Boudica
Nero
Caligula

ROMAN SUPERSTITION
The Romans believed that when they died, their spirit was rowed across the mythical river Styx to the underworld. They needed to pay the ferryman to row them across the river so, the dead were buried with a coin in their mouths, to pay the ferryman.

DEFINITIONS
Conquer– To get or take over by force. This was usually through fighting and it meant the Romans were in charge of a place.
Emperor— The ruler of the Roman Empire.
Vandal— Someone from the Germanic tribe that managed to take over Rome in 455.
Barbarian– People in groups outside the Roman Empire.