1Y: Life in the Roman Empire

Question 1

When did the Roman Empire exist?

Answer 1

Between the 3rd Century BC and the 5th Century AD, the Roman Empire controlled much of Europe and North Africa.

The Empire lasted over 1000 until it collapsed in 476AD.

Question 2

Why do the Romans matter?

Answer 2

• Months of the Year - July after Julius Caesar, January after Janus, August after Augustus.
• The Planets in our Solar System bar one are named after our Roman Gods.
• Latin was the language of Ancient Rome. Spannish, Portuguese, Italianand French all come from Latin.

Question 3

How do we know about the Romans?

Answer 3

• The ruins of many Roman Buildings tell us about Roman Architecture.
• Old statues and frescoes show us how Romans dressed.
• Roman writers, such as Cicero, tell us about how Romans lived.
• Many Roman artefacts have been discovered in the ruins of Rome and Pompeii.

Question 4

Tell me about Ancient Rome?

Answer 4

• Ancient Rome was the greatest city of its time.
• Rome was built on the River Tiber.
• It had a population of one million and was the centre of the Roman Empire.
• The Romans built amazing buildings and planned the city very well.
• The streets were laid out parallel or at right angles to one another.

Question 5

What was the Forum?

Answer 5

• The Forum was the main marketplace for all of Rome.
• It was situated at the heart of Rome and contained many splendid Temples and Goverment Buildings.
• The Forum was a great meeting place and was especially busy when a market was held every eight day.

Question 6

What was the Colosseum?

Answer 6

The Colosseum was the greatest Amphitheatre in the Roman Empire.

Big crowds would gather in this oval-shaped, open air arena to watch Gladiator Fights and other entertainment.

Question 7

What is a Triumphal Arch?

Answer 7

When the Roman Army won a great battle, an arch was decorated with victorius war scenes in honour of the Emperor and the soldiers.

See below the The Arch of Constantine in Rome.

Question 8

What was Circus Maximus?

Answer 8

Circus Maximus means ‘Great Circus’.

The stadium was full of Romans who came to watch Chariot Racing.

The arena could hold up to 250,000 people.

Question 9

What was the Aqueduct?

Answer 9

• The Aqueducts were built to carry water from the mountains and rivers into the city.
• The water was then pumped into public fountains, public baths and the homes of wealthy Romans.
• The system was very much ahead of its time.

Question 10

What did Roman men wear?

Answer 10

Men wore knee-length tunics, tied at the waist. Only men who were citizens of Rome were allowed to wear Togas.

Question 11

What did Roman women wear?

Answer 11

Women wore long white tunics belted at the waist. When a woman married, she wore an ankle-length dress called a stola.

Rich women wore a shawl called a palla and had long hair extensions and a lot of jewellery

Question 12

What did the Romans eat?

Answer 12

Most Romans ate simply.

Very poor Romans ate little else but porridge.

The evening meal, called the cena, might feature stew made from vegetables or sausage.

Wealthy Romans attended Feasts where they ate a lot of food and consumed a lot of drink and would go the ‘Vomitorium’ to get sick, so they could eat more.