Ancient Rome Curriculum

Founded in the 8th century BCE, ancient Rome, or the Roman civilization, was one of the largest in the ancient world. At its height, ancient Rome comprised almost 20% of the world’s population. Do you ever wonder why many modern ways are associated with the Romans? Explore the life and legacy of Ancient Rome using this curriculum pack!

See the fact file below for more information on putting together an Ancient Rome Curriculum, or you can download our 15-page Ancient Rome Curriculum pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Short video explainer

• Before we start, watch a short and simple video explainer about Ancient Rome found in the PDF download.

What to Consider

• Develop geographical skills – Teaching about ancient civilizations always begins with acquainting our learners with the features and significance of geography. It is vital for them to be aware of and realize the crucial role of the surroundings in the emergence and expansion of complex societies such as the Romans. 
• Use of historical themes – Since the ancient civilizations existed thousands of years ago, the most structured way not to miss anything significant is the use of historical themes such as the human-environment interaction (i.e., settlement patterns), the rise of civilizations (i.e., geography, rise and fall of the Roman Empire), changes in societies (i.e., social classes, gender roles), development of political institutions (i.e., ideas of democracy), and the belief systems (i.e., philosophy, religion). 
• Pair with Periodization – Another teaching strategy to be simultaneously used with historical themes is chronology. Between the 8th century BCE and the 5th century CE, the Roman civilization was divided into three periods: the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire.
• Connect the past to the present – Relatability sparks interest. For a lesson to be relatable, learners must connect the significance of the past (ancient Roman contributions in varied fields) to the present. Remember that history is not just a study of the past. More importantly, it helps us understand our present better.

How to deliver

• Notice that themes such as geography and mythology discuss the similar characteristics of other ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Mesopotamians, and others. Historians suggest that the Roman civilization was built from the multiple ideas of others, such as the Greeks (alphabet and architecture) and the Etruscans (army and territorial expansion). 
• Aside from the phrase, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do!” structures such as the Pantheon and the Colosseum, ancient Rome is probably most famous for the republic. One of the themes we can use is the development of political institutions. Yes! Ancient Rome is known for the republic as a form of government but note that they had multiple changes over time. Here’s a sample timeline to analyze these changes. 
• From the power of tribal Etruscan kings, ancient Romans knew the risk of having one person in authority. And so, they developed a republic with a tripartite power with a senate, an assembly, and two consuls, theoretically for checks and balance, similar to some of the democratic governments today with the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. However, in time, the republic fell to corruption, and rulers became dictators like Sulla and Julius Caesar. Triumvirates existed, but none succeeded in balancing powers. The first triumvirate, in whom Caesar was included along with Crassus and Pompey, collapsed with the rise of Caesar as dictator.
• Meanwhile, the second triumvirate emerged with the assassination of Caesar. It included Caesar’s heir Octavian and former confidants, Lepidus and Marc Antony. Again, a civil war broke out, leaders were removed, and one (Octavian) succeeded and made himself the first emperor of Rome. Analyzing the political changes in ancient Rome may also include the empire’s fair share of good and bad emperors.
• Ultimately, we can evaluate how significant leadership was in the collapse of the Roman civilization. Using an Emperor’s profile, we can engage our learners in a campaign activity involving some of the most influential emperors of Rome that either shaped Pax Romana or led the empire to its collapse. Like a political election, they can vote for their chosen leader based on achievements, personality, leadership style, etc. In the Free Download, you’ll find a sample of campaign material for the Five Good Emperors.
• The themes of changes in societies and the belief system can be discussed simultaneously in ancient Rome. Aside from time maps and chronology, we can harness our learners’ analytical skills through comparison. Before the spread of Christianity in 313 CE under Emperor Constantine, Romans practiced polytheism. Primarily adapted from the Greeks, ancient Romans worshipped multiple gods and goddesses, all representing a part of their culture and daily life. If the Greeks had the lightning and supremacy of Zeus, the Romans revered Jupiter as the ruler of all gods. If Hades was the Greek god of the underworld, the Roman counterpart was Pluto. Well, suppose you love studying the solar system. In that case, most of the planets are named after Roman deities, including Venus (love and beauty), Neptune (sea), Mars (war), Saturn (time), Mercury (messenger of gods), Jupiter (sky), and Pluto (at least before it was reclassified as a dwarf planet). Below is a sample Venn Diagram for comparison.
• Some historians suggest that aside from the invaders, the spread of Christianity in ancient Rome weakened its traditional society, which contributed to its collapse. 
• In addition to examining the role of mythology and religion in ancient Roman life, the change from polytheism to monotheism and the treatment of Jews and Christians before Constantine is one of the crucial sections of studying this civilization. Understanding change and continuity is a key historical thinking skill our learners should possess. 
• Aside from cartography (map making), graphic organizers, walking tours (Gallery walks see Ancient Egypt Curriculum), and museum tours (see Ancient Greece Curriculum), engage our learners in archaeology digs. No, we are not going on sandy and dangerous adventures like the characters in the National Treasure and The Mummy, but we will collect resources (primary or secondary will do!). Let our learners examine the materials, have a collaborative discussion and investigation, and tie the newly acquired knowledge or content with the previous lessons. A sample of archaeology digs is presented below. 
• Other aspects of ancient Roman society, such as the social structure, slavery, and the labor force, can also be examined through art. Like other ancient societies, slavery was a pillar of Rome’s economy. However, unlike the slavery we know from American history, enslaved people in ancient times, particularly in Rome, performed domestic and professional services. Enslaved people engaged in manual labor and highly skilled professions such as physicians and accountants (enslaved people of Greek origin). Similar to what divided the young American nation, an enslaved person in ancient Rome was considered property. Moreover, many were subjected to corporal punishments and exploitation. 
• Across ancient civilizations, enslaved people were acquired through warfare, debt, and raiding. Several Roman intellectuals such as Plutarch and Cicero mentioned slavery in their works. Compared to other civilizations, the status of enslaved people in ancient Rome was more fluid. Many underwent manumissio or the ritual of freeing an enslaved person and became libertinus. As freedmen, they could acquire their former patron’s name, men could vote, and their children were given Roman citizenship. They could also acquire great wealth. The owners of the House of the Vettii in Pompeii were believed to be successful freedmen: Aulus Vettius Conviva and Aulus Vettius Restitutus.  
• We cannot travel back in time, but the contributions of ancient Rome in technology, medicine, architecture, language, and many more can still be seen today. Indeed, a lasting legacy such as the ruins we can visit one summer or the things we didn’t know that the Romans invented. Aside from watching animated videos, virtual tours, and unlocking vocabulary activities, we can have a picture-taking activity of Roman-influenced things. 
• We didn’t have to travel so far to see the Roman influence on architecture. In the US, buildings such as the White House and the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, are among the best example of Roman columns, arches, and domes. 
• In Italy and England’s hiking and biking trails, the gravel and rock slabs of Roman roads are famous. Also, the modern aqueducts and reservoirs we know today are from ancient Roman technology. They were adept engineers who found a better way of utilizing water flow, which many farms use today. 
• While Roman literature and poets such as Virgil, Ovid, and Horace had undoubtedly left a huge impact and inspired authors such as Chaucer, Dante, and Shakespeare, language is the most evident legacy left in the Western world. Latin, as spoken by the ancient Romans, gave birth to other languages such as French, Italian, Catalan, Romanian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Many Latin words are used in English, such as agenda, atrocity, conglomerate, facsimile, incalculable, perpetuate, plausible, rapport, simulacrum, and ubiquity. At the same time, the English alphabet was based on Latin (Between 43 CE and 410 CE, the Roman Empire occupied large parts of Britain).
• In addition to farming techniques such as pruning, grafting, manuring, seed selection, and crop rotation, ancient Romans excellently adapted Greek medical knowledge. Ancient Roman surgeons constantly exposed to warfare used opium and acid vinegar to relieve pain and sterilize wounds in surgery. Unlike the Greeks and Egyptians, the Romans had an infrastructural practice of public health. Aside from their aqueducts, their sewage system, public baths and washrooms, and other public works positively impacted Roman hygiene. 

Learning outcomes

• At the end of the lesson, learners must know the importance of geography in the emergence and expansion of ancient Rome. Through time, the extent of the Roman Empire was so vast that it significantly influenced the Western world. 
• Aside from knowing the concepts of a republic and a senate, in theory, our learners should be able to compare then and today (i.e., the Roman Republic and the three equal branches of the government, such as the US). 
• In addition to understanding how the Romans adapted much of the Greek culture and knowledge, learners must be able to comprehend the changes and continuity in terms of medicine, architecture, literature, and politics. Ancient Romans were not only copycats of the Greeks because they also contributed significant progress in various fields.
• “When in Rome, do as the Roman do!” We always hear this phrase when people are in unfamiliar situations. Upon learning about the life of the ancient Romans, we can certainly understand how to follow their customs if we get to set foot in Rome. 
• Lastly, learners must appreciate and respect the importance of material culture (artifacts and ruins) in unearthing the life of early complex societies like the Romans. 

Ancient Rome Curriculum Worksheets

This is a fantastic curriculum bundle that includes everything you need to know about Ancient Rome across 15 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Ancient Rome, which was one of the largest in the ancient world. At its height, ancient Rome comprised almost 20% of the world’s population.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

• Teaching Ancient Rome
  1. Short video explainer
  2. What to consider
  3. How to deliver
  4. Learning outcomes
• Lesson Plan Template
• Suggested Worksheets

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the name of Rome in ancient times?

Rome was first called The Eternal City by the Roman poet Tibullus in the 1st century BC. This name means that Rome will always be around. Other people, such as Ovid, Virgil, and Livy also called Rome this name. Another nickname for Rome is “Caput Mundi” which means Capital of the World.

What was the secret name of the city of Rome?

Some believe that some cities have secret names that should not be revealed to the public. The name of a city was like a magic word: saying it aloud could bring bad things to the city, like people conquering and punishing it. The city could also lose the protection from the gods that it had when it was founded.

There are several proposed secret names of Rome, each with its own story. One such name is Florenti or Valenti. According to the legend, these names were the origin of the titles of the cities of Florence and Valencia. Only the Pontifex Maximus could pronounce the name of this god. This was done during chosen sacrifices or rites.

Who founded Rome?

Romulus and Remus, twin brothers, founded Rome on April 21, 753 BC. They were suckled by a she-wolf as orphaned infants.

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