Romans Flashcards
When was the Roman Empire established and by whom?
In 27BC, Augustus established the Roman Empire, which was from then on ruled by an absolute Emperor though there were many rebellions and plots.
When did the Roman Empire collapse?
After a crisis in the third century AD, Rome slowly declined, and the Western Empire finally collapsed in AD476.
How far did the Roman Empire extend
At it biggest it extended from Portugal to Persia (iran) and from Scotland to the Sahara desert.
It was at its biggest under the Emperor Trajan in AD101, when it may have had 100 million inhabitants
When did the Romans invade Britain
Britain was conquered by Emperor Claudius in AD43, despite fierce resistance by the chieftain Caratacus and a rebellion by Boudicca (AD60).
Emperor Claudius brought four legions and war elephants.
Most British tribal chiefs simply surrendered without a fight. Many already had connections with the Romans through trade with Gaul, which included much of what would be called France today.
The Romans invaded Britain for its wheat!
Did the Romans manage to invade Scotland
The Romans were not able to conquer Scotland – they gave up and pulled back behind Hadrian’s Wall.
Hadrian’s Wall was built to mark the northern edge of the Empire in the 120s. The wall, much of which still remains today, ran 73 miles, coast to coast from the Solway Firth in the west to Wallsend in the east.
How big was the Roman Army
The Roman Army comprised half a million men. There were about 30 legions which is the name of an army unit. Soldiers were called centurions.
Give one reason why the Roman Empire was continually expanding
The Roman Empire was continually expanding – the government needed the money from its conquests. The Empire reached its greatest extent under Trajan, who attacked Parthia, now part of Iran, but was unable to defeat them.
Why did the Romans usually win
The Romans usually won in the end because they had more money, resources and a very effective military machine.
Was is the Pax Romana and what did it mean for citizens of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire conquered many different peoples all over southern Europe and north Africa. Roman citizens were free to go anywhere they wanted, under the ‘Pax Romana’ (the Peace of Rome). The Latin language, spoken throughout the empire, was a unifying factor.
Where did the Roman soldiers who controlled Britain come from and why
The 50,000 soldiers who garrisoned Britain included Italians, Thracians, Gauls, Frisians, Germans and Africans.
The Empire had a policy of using soldiers from outside the country to control it. This was partly so they would be more ruthless and partly to disperse any groups of warriors who might want to oppose the Empire.
Britons who signed up to the Roman Army were sent to the Rhine and the Danube.
Roman Influence - language
The Latin language still survives:
The academic names of flowers and animals.
Words such as ‘exit’ and sayings such as ‘carpe diem’, which means ‘seize the moment’.
Many schools, football clubs and coins have a Latin motto.
The names of the months and the names of the planets.
The French, Italian and Spanish languages are all based on Latin.
We still use Roman numerals, I, II, III, IV etc, on clocks, buildings etc.
Roman influence - law
The laws of many European countries are based on Roman Law.
Roman influence - politics
In the United States the Senate, which is the part of the body that makes United States law, is named after the Roman Senate.
Roman influence - architecture
The Romans invented concrete, which is still used in buildings today.
Many Roman roads, buildings and aqueducts still survive to this day.
Roman influence - religion
Christianity is the dominant religion in Europe because the Romans made it the religion of their Empire.
Fall of the Roman Empire in Britain
The numbers of Roman soldiers gradually fell as they were taken back to Rome to resist the barbarian invasions. The last Roman soldiers left the country in 410.
Roman life
check bitesize page 8
What were the Romans good at
invading countries - they had a good army mining farming road building building aqua ducts to move water
what was one benefit of the Roman invasion of Britain
The invasion stimulated the british economy.
Exports from Britain included huge amounts of metal, such as lead, silver, tin and iron, and also wheat, cloth and slaves.
What was the effect of the Roman invasion on Britain?
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What do you know about the Roman Army?
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Give some examples of Roman developments and technologies
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How was the Roman Empire ruled?
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How did the Roman Empire change Britain?
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