1. Ancient Rome
© 2006 Jessica Deacon

2. Geography
The first settlers of Rome were the Latins. They chose this spot because of the mild climate, good farmland, and strategic location.
The settlers farmed in the fertile plain at the base of the hills and built their homes on the hilltops. They built atop the hills so they would be able to defend themselves against an enemy attack.
Around 600 B.C., the Etruscans invaded the Latins’ little town of Rome and took over.
The Etruscans drained the marshes near Rome to give them more land on which to build, thus under Etruscan rule, Rome grew into a city.

3. Advantages of Rome’s Geography
Close to Mediterranean Sea on several ancient trade routes
Located next to the Tiber River
Contained large plains making it easy to farm
Location in the Italian Peninsula made it easy for Roman ships to reach other lands around the sea. This position made it easier for Rome to conquer other lands and gain new territory.
The Alps and the Apennines Mountain Ranges helped to protect Rome.

5. Daily Life
Most early Romans worked small plots of land growing wheat, barley, fruits, beans, and vegetables.
They also raised livestock such as pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens. They used oxen to pull their carts.
Members of a Roman farm family worked very hard, as they only had simple tools available and usually had to travel to get water.
For a while, only landowners were able to join the army. This was because it was thought that they would fight harder to defend their land and the city.

6. Family and Society
The head of the Roman family was the father. Although his power was limited by public opinion, he had control over other members of the family and owned all the property.
Roman women were expected to run the household and take care of the children.
Women were able to inherit property and run the family business when their husbands were away.
Roman women had little power outside the home and could not vote.

7. Enjoying Life in Ancient Rome
Rome had more than 100 public baths. The baths were open to the rich and poor. People could also exercise, relax, eat, read, or walk through gardens at the baths.
There was always something to do in this exciting city. One of the most popular events was to attend a horse race at a place called Circus Maximus.
At night, theaters in Rome offered plays and music. The Romans were very social and loved to be entertained.
At the forum in Rome, people would talk, hear the latest news, shop, and eat.
There were entertainers who would sing, dance, and even charm snakes in the Forum.

8. Roman Army
Much of what we know about Roman armor and weapons comes from pictures and carvings in Rome.
Most Romans fought on foot and went into battle wearing little armor.
To protect the head, the soldiers wore a metal helmet with a neck guard and cheek plates.
They wore chest and shoulder armor, and used a shield and sword.
The citizens of Rome were expected to fight to defend the republic.
They were part-time soldiers. After fulfilling their duty, the men went back to their farms.
The early Romans fought other groups in Italy.
Often times their enemies had better weapons, so the Romans copied the best weapons and tactics, and learned from their defeats.

9. Military Tactics
Rome’s army consisted of about 300,000 soldiers, split into legions of 5,000 soldiers.
The legions were posted all over the empire to capture new lands, guard them, and to control local rebels.
Roman soldiers advanced in a turtle shape.
Their shields acted as a shell, protecting them from attack.

10. All Roads Lead to Rome
The Roman army built roads that linked all the parts of the empire.
The Romans laid more than 50,000 miles of roads to tie together their empire.
Many of the roads can still be seen today.
Roads were built from layers of sand, stone, gravel, and paving slabs. They curved, so any rain drained away.
The Romans tried to build the roads as straight as possible so that the army could take the shortest route.
Modern day road
Ancient Roman Road

11. Entertainment The Colosseum
The Romans’ favorite entertainment was a trip to watch the gladiators.
In Rome, the best fights took place in a 50,000-seat amphitheater called the Colosseum.
The floor of the arena was covered in sand to soak up all the blood.

12. Gladiators
Gladiators were prisoners or slaves who were trained to fight, and they would fight to the death.
Gladiators would fight each other, and also against fierce wild beasts such as lions, tigers, or bears!
Some gladiators were equipped with only a fishing net and a long fork called a trident. Others wore armor and carried swords or daggers.
A gladiator who survived several fights might be given his freedom.

13. The emperor sat in a special box just above the stage where he controlled the entertainment.
He declared whether a gladiator would live or die with a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down gesture.
The Colosseum was 160 ft. tall and had four stories of windows, columns, and arches.
The arena could be flooded so there could be battles between real boats.
Spectators sat according to social class in the arena.
Women and the poor sat on the top tier.

14. Architecture
The Romans built bridges called aqueducts to carry drinking water into their cities.
To take the weight of all the water flowing along them, aqueducts were supported on rows of strong arches.
The Romans also used the aqueducts to get fresh water for their baths.
Many aqueducts still exist today, even though they are 2,000 years old.

15. Important Roman Landmarks
Click on each picture to learn more about each topic.
The arena where gladiators fought, providing Roman citizens with hours of entertainment.
Colosseum
Scrolls were found in this building, helping us to learn about Ancient Rome.
Libraries
The court of law in Rome
Basilica of
Constantine
Built as a temple for the gods
Pantheon
Five stories of shops for people to buy and sell goods
Trajan’s
Markets