Introduction
Ancient Rome for Kids is an engaging overview of the history of the roman empire. In this video we will learn about Ancient Rome and its early emperors. We will highlight Romes early government, values, people, cities, gods and goddesses, and we will even talk about the gladiators.
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Content
Ancient Rome Take a minute to think about the city where you live.
Can, you imagine how it has changed.
In the past hundred years? Are there pictures of what it used to look: like? What’s, different?, The, streets, houses, cars?, The clothing people are wearing? Now.
Can you imagine what different cities looked like thousands of years, ago? In this video, we’re going to take a look back at a place that you’ve probably heard of.
That place is Rome!.
Rome is the capital of Italy.
Maybe you’ve, heard of all the yummy food in Rome or about some of the beautiful architecture, statues, and art.
But.
Just like your city, and cities.
All around the world, Rome has changed over many years., Let’s travel back in time and learn what ancient Rome was like.
Over 2,000 years ago, Rome began as a small town along the Tiber River in central Italy.
The river gave the Romans a source of water as well as a way for them to travel to other places.
Nearby.
The city was purposely built on seven hills which protected the people from their enemies.
Over time, Rome grew into an empire.
An empire is a group of countries that are ruled by an emperor or empress, which is like a king or queen.
Eventually.
The Roman Empire included many European countries.
Rome was first a republic, which means that the people of Rome voted for leaders who made their laws.
These leaders were called representatives.
Most of these representatives came from families that owned land and were very rich.
All male citizens could vote, but only wealthy males could become representatives.
Rome’s government was made up of three groups.
One of the groups ran the government.
Another group made the laws, and a third group acted as judges.
The United States government is also made up of three groups.
Just like Rome had.
Other countries use Rome as an example of how to rule and run their countries.
But along with Rome’s success.
They also had some difficulties.
As Rome got bigger.
The rich citizens got richer while the poor people got poorer.
The rich spent large sums of money on homes, gardens, slaves, and luxuries.
They held banquets that lasted for hours with lavish, expensive foods, while most people in Rome barely had enough to eat.
Most of the city’s population didn’t even have jobs.
The only thing they had to eat was the little bit of grain.
The government gave them each day.
There were thousands of poor people who were captured and forced to work as slaves on huge properties that were owned by many of Rome’s wealthiest citizens.
The poor people became frustrated and were not happy with how they were being treated.
Another group of unhappy citizens were farmers who had once been soldiers.
They could not compete with the wealthy citizens, who owned a lot more land than they did.
So.
They eventually lost their jobs and became homeless.
Two brothers named Tiberius and Gaius worked for the government.
Their job was to represent the poor people of Rome.
They tried to help fix some of the problems by suggesting possible improvements.
But.
Instead of listening to them, some of the people in the government got angry with the brothers and killed them.
After.
The brothers were killed, a war between Roman citizens broke out.
One of Rome’s, most famous leaders was named Julius Caesar.
He was a Roman general and a governor.
Julius Caesar used his power to become a dictator, which means he had complete control over the people.
Caesar began to make some improvements.
He.
Let many people who lived near Rome become citizens of Rome.
He helped the poor by creating more jobs.
He started colonies where people without land could own property.
And.
He increased pay for soldiers.
Some of the wealthy citizens and government representatives got nervous because Caesar was having a lot of success and was becoming very popular.
They worried that the people would stop listening to them and only listen to Caesar.
So.
They had Caesar murdered.
After Caesar was killed.
Another war broke out between the Roman citizens.
This war destroyed.
What was left of the Roman republic.
Rome then went from a republic form of government to an empire.
That meant it was ruled by an emperor or a king.
Julius Caesar had an adopted son named Octavian.
At.
Only 18 years old, Octavian became the first emperor of Rome.
He changed his name to Augustus, which meant “exalted, one”., For, 40, years, Augustus ruled successfully, and he helped make Rome wealthier.
Trade increased and his army kept things peaceful for a period of 200 years.
Rome made great progress during this time.
Many concepts of Roman law are still practiced in the U.S.
and other places around the world.
One of these laws is that a person is innocent until proven guilty.
This means we don’t assume or guess that someone is guilty of a crime.
We, give them a chance to defend themselves before a judge.
Ancient Romans were polytheistic, meaning they believed in multiple gods and goddesses.
These gods were beings that were immortal and ruled heaven, Earth, and the underworld.
Some examples of these gods and goddesses include Jupiter, who was the father of the gods, his wife, Juno, who was known as the queen of the gods and a protector of women, and Minerva.
The goddess of wisdom, arts, and war.
Romans were expected to honor different gods and goddesses in private and public ceremonies.
Worship of the emperor also became part of Rome’s official religion.
Eventually.
The practice of a new religion called Christianity slowly emerged in the empire.
Some of the early followers of Christianity were treated very badly and suffered a lot of hardships for their beliefs.
But Christianity, endured and spread throughout the empire.
Some entertainment.
The people of Rome enjoyed were musical and theatrical performances and chariot.
Races.
Gladiator fights were also a popular form of entertainment.
For.
Hundreds of years, people came to large arenas to watch, men, and sometimes women, fight.
Each other.
Gladiators were often slaves or people who had committed.
Crimes.
They were chosen to fight if they were healthy and strong.
Sometimes people willingly signed up to fight.
Gladiators, who won were treated like celebrities.
Some men even went to school to learn how to become gladiators.
The winners sometimes won prize money, as well as the glory of being called a gladiator.
They fought until one of the gladiators was badly wounded.
Occasionally, one of them died.
Sometimes gladiators even fought animals.
The Colosseum that still stands in Rome, Italy today is an example of an arena where gladiators fought., The, Roman empire, eventually collapsed.
In many ways, the empire grew too large, and they lost countries, one by one.
Though, the ancient Roman empire no longer exists.
Rome’s influence can still be found throughout the world.
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FAQs
Ancient Rome for Kids | Learn all about the History of the Roman Empire for Kids? ›
The Roman Empire was the largest empire of the ancient world. Its capital was Rome, and its empire was based in the Mediterranean. The Empire dates from 27 BC, when Octavian became the Emperor Augustus, until it fell in 476 AD, marking the end of the Ancient World and the beginning of the Middle Ages, or Dark Ages.
What is the Roman Empire explained for kids? ›The Roman Empire was the largest empire of the ancient world. Its capital was Rome, and its empire was based in the Mediterranean. The Empire dates from 27 BC, when Octavian became the Emperor Augustus, until it fell in 476 AD, marking the end of the Ancient World and the beginning of the Middle Ages, or Dark Ages.
What is a fact about ancient Rome for kids? ›Around the ninth or tenth century B.C., Rome was just a small town on the Tiber River in what's now central Italy. (One myth says that the town was founded by two brothers—Romulus and Remus—who were raised by a wolf.) For about 500 years, the area was ruled by a series of kings as it grew in strength and power.
What was the Roman Empire simple history? ›Imperial Rome (31 BC – AD 476)
In AD 286 the Roman Empire was split into eastern and western empires, each ruled by its own emperor. The western empire suffered several Gothic invasions and, in AD 455, was sacked by Vandals. Rome continued to decline after that until AD 476 when the western Roman Empire came to an end.
Romans used to wash clothes in urine! Because urine contains ammonia, a powerful bleaching agent, ancient Romans used to wash their clothes in pee! At many street corners there were public urinals that men could use and their contents were collected every day and brought to the laundries.
What is the short summary of Romans? ›The book of Romans provides us with a concise summary of the Gospel. In its initial chapters, Paul focuses on doctrine, that is, on the pillars of truth that we know about ourselves and about God. The last five chapters focus more on advice and encouragement for how to live out of this knowledge.
What are 2 fun facts about the Romans? ›The Romans sometimes used powdered mouse brains as toothpaste! At one banquet in Rome, the guests were served with hundreds of ostrich brains! Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were supposed to have been raised by a wolf! Cobwebs were used to stop bleeding.
What are 10 facts about Rome? ›- Rome was founded in 753 BC.
- Rome is older than Italy.
- Rome wasn't always the capital city.
- Rome is densely populated.
- Rome has several nicknames.
- Rome is home to the largest European university.
- Rome has more churches than any other city.
- Rome is a city of fountains.
Ancient Romans pioneered advances in many areas of science and technology, establishing tools and methods that have ultimately shaped the way the world does certain things. The Romans were extremely adept engineers. They understood the laws of physics well enough to develop aqueducts and better ways to aid water flow.
What is a fact about Roman Empire? ›There were over 200 amphitheatres in the Roman Empire, but the largest was the Colosseum, built in Rome in 80AD. It took just 8 years to construct the Colosseum. It was originally called the Flavian Amphitheatre and in its prime, held up to 85,000 bloodthirsty spectators.
How did the Roman Empire start? ›
The Roman Republic became the Roman Empire in 27 BCE when Julius Caesar's adopted son, best known as Augustus, became the ruler of Rome. Augustus established an autocratic form of government, where he was the sole ruler and made all important decisions.
What did the Romans ever do for us kids? ›Many of our buildings and how they are heated, the way we get rid of our sewage, the roads we use, some of our wild animals, religion, the words and language we speak, how we calculate distances, numbers and why we use money to pay for goods were all introduced by the Romans.
How did the Roman Empire fall for kids? ›Several groups of outside peoples, including the Vandals and the Huns, attacked the western empire. A group called the Visigoths attacked the city of Rome in 410. The last western emperor fell in 476. This brought an end to the Western Roman Empire.
What happened to the Roman Empire for kids? ›In 476 AD, a Germanic barbarian by the name of Odoacer took control of Rome. He became king of Italy and forced the last emperor of Rome, Romulus Augustulus, to give up his crown. Many historians consider this to be the end of the Roman Empire.
What is Roman Empire known for? ›A people known for their military, political, and social institutions, the ancient Romans conquered vast amounts of land in Europe and northern Africa, built roads and aqueducts, and spread Latin, their language, far and wide.