Inside the Book of the Roman Empire, you’ll meet rulers and icons from the nefarious Nero to Christian Constantine, as well as come face to face with the vengeful gods of the Roman pantheon. Head to the front lines with the ruthless Roman army, and find out how people really lived in the Mediterranean 2,000 years ago.
Welcome to ALL ABOUT HISTORY Book of the ROMAN EMPIRE
The Legend of Rome • From its humble beginnings as a small kingdom of warring fiefdoms, to one of history’s most imposing superpowers, Rome was a nation for the ages
The elements of Ancient Rome • From religion and the arts to the use of slaves and infrastructure, Ancient Rome was a unique society that operated on its own terms
The Roman Kingdom 753 – 509 BCE
The Roman Republic 509 – 27 BCE
The Roman Empire 27 BCE – 476 CE
The lasting effect of the Roman Empire
The Rise of the Roman Empire • How Rome built its empire, negotiating or seizing the largest population of any unified political entity in the West
The Fall of the Roman Republic
Timeline
How the Romans Lived • All walks of life filled the streets of Ancient Rome, and for the poorer people of society the empire was very different to those at the top
Class act: how the Romans were divided
Life among the classes • In such a cut-throat city, how did the patricians, equestrians and plebeians navigate through Roman life?
Housing the Romans
The nightlife in Rome • When in Rome, what did the Romans get up to? We know they enjoyed wine, theatre and food, but what else?
Food for the masses
Roman Houses • The houses of Roman citizens varied according to their wealth. The more modest houses were called insulae – these houses, like the flats of today, emerged in the cities due to overcrowding. Patricians would live at their opulent country villas and the wealthier merchants lived in urban domus
The Roles of Roman Women • Ancient Rome wasn’t an equal society and women were expected to behave and live differently to men
Roman Thermae
Underworld of Ancient Rome • In the Senate and the streets, crime was rife in Ancient Rome. From escaped slaves to treacherous aristocrats, discover the extent of Roman villainy
The world under Ancient Rome • A place of rest and sanctuary
One law for one… • Crime and punishment in Rome’s class system
Lawyering up in Ancient Rome • Defence in the Roman courts
Roman Punishments • From the cruel to the unusual
Blood, Guts & Gladiators • From enjoying beautiful poetry to cheering on a bloodthirsty gladiator going in for the kill, the Romans sure knew how to enjoy their free time
Land of gore and glory • Wild beasts wouldn’t tear people away from the Romans’ spectacles. Indeed, they’d have citizens flocking to stadia in their droves
Rome’s most popular sports • Sports and entertainment were synonymous in Ancient Rome, as athletes became famous icons that drew huge crowds
Fun plays and serious plays • Romans got into their rhythm by setting down to a riot of dance, poetry and theatre while still finding time to exercise and relax
Circus Maximus • Discover the arenas in which Rome’s best would duke it out for the entertainment of the masses
A Day in the Life of a Chariot Racer • The death-defying sportsmen racing for glory in the Circus Maximus, Rome
What Have the Romans Done for Us? • They came, they saw and they conquered – and they shaped modern Europe at the same time
The Dynasties of the Roman Empire • From its earliest days in the republic, to the final dark days of the empire, the dynasties of Rome shaped the nation and its fate
Augustus • As the republic burned...