Strand 3: Chapter 14

The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire
The spread of the Empire
• The Roman Empire began to develop from around 800 BC.

• The Empire lasted for over 1,000 years and stretched from Italy to
most of Europe, North Africa and parts of the Middle East.

• About 2,000 years ago, Rome was the largest and most important city
in the world.

• We know so much about the Romans because of the rich variety of

primary sources that they left behind:

Written records – Titus Livy

Ancient ruins – Pompeii/Herculaneum/the Colosseum

2
The Roman Empire
Roman houses

Rich Romans lived in a house called a domus:
•One story in height
•An entrance hall called an atrium
•A walled back garden called a peristyle
•Walls were decorated with murals and mosaics
•Houses of rich Romans had toilets
Poor Romans
lived in apartment
blocks called insulae:
•Some apartments were large
and luxurious
•Most were in poor condition
•Families lived in one room
•No running water
•Upper floors were reached by a ladder rather than
stairs
•Rubbish and the contents of toilet pots were
thrown onto the street below.

3
The Roman Empire
Roman Pastimes

• Circus Maximus/Hippodrome – chariot races – 250,000-capacity stadium

• Colosseum – 50,000-seater amphitheatre – gladiator contests
• The theatre – spectacular stage scenes
• Roman baths – baths/gym/library

4
The Roman Empire
The Roman Army
• The Roman Army was made up of
legions of up to 4,000 soldiers.
• Each legion was broken up into
smaller groups of 100 soldiers called
centuries.
• Soldiers served for 20–25 years.
• They lived in barracks under strict
discipline.
• Roman soldiers did not wear armour
on their back.
• They had to complete a 30-km road
march three times a month.
• They were given a plot of land upon
retirement.

5
The Roman Empire
The Roman legacy
• Latin – influenced many modern languages
• Christianity – Rome is still the centre of the Catholic Church
• Roads – built wonderful roads
• Building and architecture – used large columns and arches. Many
important buildings have since been built using this style
• The Romans set up sewerage systems in their towns
• Central heating – designed the first system of underfloor heating
• Shopping centres – Trajan’s Forum is regarded as being the first
shopping centre in the world
• The calendar – designed the modern calendar and named the months
after Roman emperors and gods
• Law and order – established a system of state and civil law