Ancient Rome Unit Study

Explore the lasting influence of Ancient Rome with this flexible unit study. Created for a variety of ages and learning styles, it offers maps, book lists, crafts, video links, vocabulary, and more. Students will dive into Roman daily life, architecture, government, and cultural contributions while connecting history with engaging, hands-on activities. Resources can be used à la carte or as part of a broader study of the ancient world.

Learning Objectives

The learner will be able to

• Explore the geography of Ancient Rome and its expansion.
• Understand elements of Roman culture, daily life, and government.
• Recognize Rome’s influence on modern societies, including North America.
• Appreciate the significance and legacy of ancient civilizations.
• Build vocabulary related to Ancient Rome and use terms in context.
• Engage with maps, timelines, and biographies of key Roman figures.
• Participate in creative activities that reinforce historical concepts (e.g., dramatization, crafts, writing prompts).
• Evaluate historical events and decisions through discussion and journaling.
• Research using primary and secondary sources, both online and print.
• Practice critical thinking through comparison, analysis, and synthesis.
• Organize findings in a lapbook or notebook format.

Bible References

• Acts 27 – Paul is sent to Rome
• Acts 28 – Paul’s arrival in Rome
• Acts 18:2

Timeline

Maps of Roman Empire

The Roman Empire Maps https://roman-empire.net/maps
A Map of Roman Roads in Britain https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zcyc7ty/watch/zvm9mp3

People

Augustus	Diocletian	Livy	Pompey
Brutus	Domitian	Marcus Aurelius	Seneca
Cato	Gaius (Caligula)	Marius	Sulla
Cicero	Hadrian	Mark Antony	Tacitus
Claudius	Julian	Nero	Tiberius
Constantine	Julius Caesar	Pliny	Titus
Crassus	Justinian	Plutarch	Trajan
			Vespasian

Vocabulary

abacus	collapsed	geometry	Patrician	sarcophagus
Amphitheatre	con	history	patron	schoolmaster
amphora	conquer	insula	Pax Romana	scrolls
anarchy	consul	island	peninsula	sea
aqueduct	continent	Latin	plague	Senate
aristocracy	debate	Latins	Plebeian	shepherd
assembly	decline	legalus	Pontiffs	slaves
astronomy	democracy	legion	porridge	stola
atrium	denarius	linen	Praetor	strait
basilica	dictator	literature	Praetorian guard	stucco
bulla	domus	magistrate	Praetorian perfect	stylus
captured	emperor	master	prefectures	Tarquin the Proud
cavalry	emperor	monarchy	pro	taxes
censor	empire	mosaic	proconsul	tenements
centurion	empire barrier	mural	province	tesserae
citizen	Etruscans	natural barrier	rebuttal	toga
civilization	façade	ocean	relief sculpture	Tribune
cloak	forum	orphan	republic	Trompe l’oeil
cohort	frieze	papyrus	rhetoric	tunic
				villa

WordWeb Dictionary – Free downloadable dictionary software
Dictionary.com – Online definitions and pronunciation

Book Resources

(Note: These titles are linked to Amazon using my affiliate ID. If you make a purchase through these links, it helps support the site at no extra cost to you.)

• The Ancient City: Life in Classical Greece and Rome by Peter Connolly
• The Ancient Roman City by John E Stambaugh
• Ancient Rome (Eyewitness Books) by Simon James
• Ancient Rome: City Planning and Administration by O.F Robinson
• Ancient Rome: Cultural Atlas for Young People by Mike Corbishley
• Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today by Richard J Maybury
• As the Romans Did: A Sourcebook in Roman Social History by Jo-Ann Shelton
• Atlas of the Roman World by Tim Matthews and John Cornell
• Augustus Caesar’s World by Genevieve Foster
• Ben Hur by Lew Wallace
• The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Spear
• Caesar by Theodore Ayrault Dodge
• Caesar by Christian Meier
• Caesar’s Gallic War by Olivia Coolidge
• The Capricorn Bracelet by Rosemary Sutcliff
• Classical Kids by Laurie Carlson
• Cleopatra by Diane Stanley
• Cleopatra and the Egyptians by Andrew Langley
• Cooking up World History by Patricia C Marden
• Daily Life in Ancient Rome; The People and the City at the Height of the Empire by Jerome Carcopino
• Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld
• Drawing History: Ancient Rome by Elaine Raphael and Don Bolognese.
• The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
• Everyday Life in Ancient Rome by Frank Richard Cowell
• Everyday Life of the Etruscans by Ellen MacNamara
• Fall of the Roman Republic by Plutarch
• Greek and Roman Science by Don Nardo
• Horrible Histories: The Rotten Romans by Terry Deary
• How Would You Survive as an Ancient Roman? by Anita Ganeri
• I wonder Why the Romans Wore Togas and Other Questions about Ancient Rome by Fiona MacDonald
• Julius Caesar by Michael Grant
• The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary Sutcliff
• The Last Generation of the Roman Republic by Erich S Gruen
• Lives of Famous Romans by Olivia Coolidge
• Make it Work! Roman Empire by Andrew Haslam
• Makers of Rome by Plutarch
• The Mark of the Horse Lord by Rosemary Sutcliff
• My World Ancient Rome by Peter Crisp
• Mystery of the Roman Ransom by Henry Winterfeld
• Roman Britain by Jenny Hall and Christine Jones
• The Roman Empire and the Dark Ages by Giovanni Caselli
• A Roman Fort by Fiona MacDonald
• The Roman Legions by H. M. D Parker
• The Roman News by Andrew Langley
• A Noise of War by A.J. Langguth
• Outrageous Women of Ancient Times by Vicki Leon
• Pompeii…Buried Alive! by Edith Kunhardt
• Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz
• Roman People, Roman Places by Susan Howarth
• Rome and Romans (Usborne Time Traveller) by Patricia Vanags and Heather Amery
• The Roman Soldier by G.R Watson
• The Roman War Machine by John Peddie
• The Romans (Usborne Illustrated World History) by Antony Marks and Graham Tingay
• Rome Antics by David Macaulay
• Science in Ancient Rome by Jacqueline L Harris
• The Secrets of Vesuvius by Sara C Bisel
• See Inside a Roman Town by R.J Unstead
• The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff
• Spend the Day in Ancient Rome by Linda Honan
• The World of the Citizen in Republican Rome by C Nicolet
• The Young Caesar by Rex Warner
• The Young Carthaginian: A Story of the Times of Hannibal by G.A. Henty
• Unit Five: “Rome Wins and Loses an Empire” by Builders of the Old World (Gertrude Hartman)
• The Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia of World History
• Vacation Under the Volcano (Magic Tree House) by Mary Pope Osborne
• Vinegar Boy by Alberta Hawse
• War Commentaries of Caesar by Rex Warner
• Warfare in the Classical World by John Warry
• Warriors of Rome by Michael Simkins

Other Texts

• Ancient Rome – Wikipedia
• Project Gutenberg:
  • The Common People of Ancient Rome
  • Suppliant Maidens and Other Plays
  • A History of Rome During the Later Republic and Early Principate
  • Andromeda and Other Poems
  • Roman Mosaics: Studies in Rome and Its Neighbourhood
  • The History of Rome (Volumes 1–5)
  • Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare
  • Ancient Rome: From the Earliest Times Down to 476 A.D.
  • Shakespeare Stories
  • Young Folks’ History of Rome
• http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=guerber&book=romans&story=coriolanus  The Story of the Romans
• Internet Ancient History Sourcebook – Rome – A curated collection of public domain texts, writings, and primary sources related to Ancient Roman history.
• Roman Numerals Song Activity When in Rome (X Little Roman Numerals) by Harry Guffee. Catchy educational song teaching Roman numerals, great for integration into craft or math lessons.

Video & Software Resources

Teach With Movies: Julius Caesar – Film guide and educational questions for studying Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar.”

Teach With Movies: Agora – Educational support for using the film Agora to explore Roman Egypt and philosophy.

Teach With Movies: Spartacus – Film-based resource for teaching about Roman slavery and rebellion.

• Age of Empires – A simulation of Ancient Rome. Found on YouTube.
• An Empire Conquered – Docudrama. Found on YouTube
• Ben Hur – currently available to stream on Hulu and Tubi
• Cleopatra (1963 film) Elizabeth Taylor
• Cleopatra (1934 film) Claudette Colbert
• Julius Caesar (1953) – currently available to stream on Tubi
• Rome – currently available to stream on Max and Hulu if you have subscriptions
• Spartacus (1960)
• The Robe
• The Story of Ruth (1960)
• The Ten Commandments (1956)

More Game Ideas

The Emperor of Rome Game https://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/special/emperor_game.html

Construct an Aqueduct https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/roman/aqueduct.html

More GeoSafari Card Ideas

Leaders & Emperors

• Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, Trajan, Hadrian, Constantine, Marcus Aurelius

Inventions & Engineering

• Aqueducts, roads, concrete, Roman numerals, arches, domes, Julian calendar

Geography

• Rome, Tiber River, Mediterranean Sea, Appian Way, Alps, Colosseum, Roman Empire (as regions)

Daily Life & Culture

• Toga, forum, Colosseum events, villas, bulla, Roman baths, gladiators, mosaic art

Religion & Beliefs

• Roman gods (Jupiter, Mars, Venus), polytheism, emperor worship, early Christianity, household spirits (Lares)

Famous Romans & Writers

• Cicero, Seneca, Pliny, Livy, Virgil, Ovid, Constantine, Paul (biblical), Cleopatra (Rome connection)

Bible Connections

• Paul’s journey to Rome, Acts 27–28, persecution of Christians under Nero, Roman centurions

Military & Expansion

• Legions, centurions, provinces, Pax Romana, Roman roads, Roman navy

Entertainment & Education

• Chariot races, gladiators, scrolls, Roman schools, rhetoric, amphitheaters

Sample GeoSafari Prompts – Use these to build a 10-question card, or expand the set for a greater challenge or deeper exploration.

• “Which Roman invention brought fresh water to cities?”
  Aqueduct
• “Name the emperor who became the first Christian ruler of Rome.”
  Constantine
• “Which sea did the Romans call ‘Mare Nostrum’ or ‘Our Sea’?”
  The Mediterranean Sea
• “What was a Roman legion?”
  A large unit of the Roman army
• “What piece of clothing symbolized Roman citizenship?”
  Toga
• “Who was assassinated on the Ides of March in 44 B.C.?”
  Julius Caesar
• “Which Roman road connected Rome to southern Italy?”
  Appian Way
• “What is the Roman numeral for 100?”
  C
• “Which apostle was imprisoned and later sent to Rome?”
  Paul
• “Which Roman structure held gladiator games?”
  The Colosseum

One GeoSafari Group member created a card to help practice Roman numerals as part of their study. Another member, during an Ancient Civilizations unit, made a 5-card set focused on the Fall of Rome.

Clip Art

• Ancient Civilizations – Ancient Rome Pictures, Photos, Clipart, Images & Illustrations
• Roman Empire https://etc.usf.edu/clipart/galleries/52-roman-empire
• Roman Architecture https://etc.usf.edu/clipart/galleries/183-roman-architecture
• Roman Mythology https://etc.usf.edu/clipart/galleries/105-roman-mythology
• Roman Ornament https://etc.usf.edu/clipart/galleries/182-roman-ornament

Art and Craft Ideas

• 3D Paper Craft: Roman Colosseum
  Printable papercraft activity for building a model of the Roman Colosseum.
• Build an Arch – NatGeo Kids
  Hands-on project using common materials to recreate Roman arch construction.
• Make Roman sandals You can try making them out of felt instead of leather as did one of the commentors.
• Other ideas include:
  • Make Roman Togas
  • Make Roman Shields
  • Make a Mosaic Using Paper Squares

Recipes

A curated set of translated Roman recipes, including Apicius-style dishes and food preparation notes.
• Antique Roman Recipes – CMU Collection
  A collection of ancient Roman recipes categorized by type and origin, part of a broader historical recipe archive.
• Ancient Roman Cooking – Archaeolink
  Overview of Roman culinary practices and sample recipes with historical commentary.
• NOVA – Roman Recipes
  PBS provides a brief look at food in Ancient Rome with a few sample dishes for classroom or home exploration.

Field Trips

• Check to see if a local museum has examples of artwork from Ancient Rome.

Activities and Lesson Plans

• Mr. Donn’s Ancient Rome Index – Collection of links to lessons, activities, worksheets, and games on Ancient Rome.
• Mr. Donn’s Ancient Rome Overview – Lesson plans, activities, and teaching tools covering Roman history and culture.
• Mr. Donn’s Roman Life – Focused on daily life in Ancient Rome—family, food, clothing, entertainment, and more.
• Core Knowledge CKHG Ancient Rome (Grade 2) – Free history and geography unit on Ancient Rome for elementary students.
• Core Knowledge CKLA Stories of Ancient Rome (Grade 3) – Language arts unit integrating early reading skills with historical content about Rome.
• Core Knowledge CKHG Ancient Greece & Rome (Grade 2) – Combined unit covering both Ancient Greece and Rome, for early elementary.
• Core Knowledge CKLA Heritage of Ancient Greece and Rome (Grade 3) – Covers lasting contributions of Greece and Rome in a language-rich unit for third grade.

Daily Life & Culture

• Roman Clothing & Costumes Detailed diagrams and summaries of ancient Roman garments for men, women, and children—ideal for costume making.
• Crystalinks Ancient Rome Overview – General overview of Roman civilization, including government, lifestyle, and achievements.
• Crystalinks Roman Clothing – Overview of clothing styles in Ancient Rome for men, women, and children.
• Crystalinks Roman Education – Description of Roman schooling, including subjects, methods, and student life.
• Roman Empire Dress & Fashion – Detailed look at Roman clothing by class and gender with illustrations and explanations.
• Roman Empire Roman Housing – Overview of Roman homes, from simple apartments to lavish villas.
• Historical Roman Paper Dolls (Archived) – Printable historical Roman paper doll image from an archived University of Michigan page.

Roman Numerals & Calendars

• Nova Roma Roman Numerals Converter – A simple tool to convert between Arabic and Roman numerals, with explanations based on ancient Roman methods.
• WebExhibits Roman Calendar Overview – A detailed look at the Roman calendar, its origins, months, and evolution.
• WebExhibits Fasti Roman Year Text – A Latin text reference of the Roman Fasti, detailing festival days and the structure of the Roman year.
• WebExhibits Galileo and the Calendar Reform – Historical context on how Galileo’s work intersected with the calendar reforms and timekeeping.

General Information & Overviews

• I, Claudius – A collection of essays, historical documents, and resources about the Roman Empire, inspired by the TV miniseries and historical sources.
• BBC History – Ancient Romans – Engaging summaries and timelines on Ancient Rome, Roman Britain, and key figures like Julius Caesar.
• BBC Bitesize – Ancient Rome – Educational materials, videos, and quizzes designed for UK students learning about Ancient Rome.
• The Illustrated History of the Roman Empire – A thorough site exploring Roman emperors, society, wars, and daily life with illustrations, maps, and timelines.
• VRoma – Virtual Teaching Community – An educational project offering tools, Latin texts, and a virtual Roman city for students and educators of classics.
• HowStuffWorks Roman Fountains – Explains the engineering behind ancient Roman fountains and aqueducts without the use of motors.
• HyperHistory Online – An interactive timeline of world history with entries on Ancient Rome and related civilizations.
• Colosseum & Circus Maximus Image – A visual look at the Circus Maximus and Colosseum, including architectural context.
• Christian Science Monitor – Cleopatra Article – A reflective article on Cleopatra’s historical image and influence in popular culture.

Writing and Journal Activities:

• Make a book about life as a Roman Soldier. Make a Roman soldier picture using foil for his armor and a pair of Roman sandals from cardboard and string
• Foxes’ Book of Martyrs tells stories of those who were martyred during Roman times
• Do a mini-study about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the subsequent destruction of Pompeii
• Do a mini-study about the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.)
• Do a mini-study about the fortress at Masada, where Jewish zealots took refuge after Jerusalem was destroyed.
• Do a mini-study of the toga. This garment is unique to the ancient Romans. Do you know what it was made of; · why it was not a practical garment; · if there were any restrictions on who wore it; ·
• What women wore in ancient Rome; · what was the significance of the bulla worn around the neck; that there were different kinds of toga?
• What is the connection between the American Pony Express and the Roman Imperial Post?
• Do a mini-study on Julius Caesar. Consider the background information on Rome and Caesar and decide if you will participate as conspirators against Caesar or if you will defend him. Write out his or her decision and explain your reasoning.

Worksheets

Primary Resources Roman Britain – Free printable worksheets and activities related to the Roman occupation of Britain.

 

Information & General Resources

• History.com Ancient Rome – Broad historical overview of Roman civilization with key events, figures, and cultural contributions.
• PBS Search Results for “Ancient Rome” – Access to various PBS videos, articles, and lesson content related to Ancient Rome.
• Ancient Roman Art Overview – Witcombe
  Art history site with an overview of Roman artistic traditions, styles, and examples.
• Roman Art – Focus on Architecture
  In-depth look at Roman visual arts including sculpture, frescoes, and public works.
• Roman Architecture Styles – Great Buildings
  Architectural reference site with images and explanations of Roman building styles.

Historical Sites & Museums

• Detroit Institute of Arts Ancient Rome Collection – Explore artworks and artifacts related to Ancient Rome within the DIA’s online collection database.
• Catacombs of St. Callixtus (Italy) – Official site for one of Rome’s most famous Christian burial sites, featuring historical background and visitor information.

🏛 Ancient Rome Lapbook Ideas

Timeline + People

• Roman Leaders Accordion Book: Fold-out timeline featuring emperors and key figures like Julius Caesar, Augustus, Trajan, etc. Each flap includes their name, role, and one key fact.
• “Who Am I?” Mini Cards: Clues on the front, names on the back—great for review or memory games.

Vocabulary

• Flipbook of Terms: Include Latin roots, definitions, and illustrations for words like aqueduct, forum, toga, etc.
• Toga Pocket: A small paper toga that holds mini-vocab cards or “What Did Romans Wear?” facts.

Daily Life & Culture

• Roman House Matchbook: Interior diagram or lift-the-flap showing parts of a domus or insula.
• Roman Clothing Flaps: Label styles for men, women, and children (you could even use cut-out paper dolls from the archive image).
• Roman Meals Mini Menu: Accordion menu listing common Roman foods and fun facts from the recipe section.

Maps & Geography

• Lift-the-Flap Map Puzzle: Create a mini-map of the Roman Empire with fold-over regions and capitals.
• Roads of Rome Foldable: Highlight the significance of Roman roads (tie-in with the BBC and PBS map links).

Writing & Journal Prompts

• Scroll Foldable: Learners can write a journal entry as a Roman child, soldier, senator, etc., then roll it into a paper scroll.
• Toga Debate Cards: “Would you support Julius Caesar?” prompt cards with room to write a short persuasive argument.

Bible & Sacred Text Connections

• Paul in Rome Map Wheel: Visual timeline/map showing Paul’s journey and key verses from Acts 27–28.
• Mini Booklet: “Rome in the Bible” with reference-only verses from Acts 18:2, etc.

Art & Architecture

• Architecture Matchbook: Match terms like arch, aqueduct, basilica to images.
• Colosseum Facts Foldable: Layered booklet to explore the structure and events held there.

Roman Numerals & Math

• Roman Numeral Match Cards: Match Roman numerals with modern numbers.
• “When in Rome” Song Pocket: Include lyrics or song notes from the Roman Numerals Song by Harry Guffee.

Book Tracker

“Books I Read” Mini Binder Ring or Pocket: Track Amazon-linked books from your list as they’re read, with space for rating or one key takeaway.

Evaluation Ideas

Affiliate Links

Amazon	NotebookingPages.com

The Ancient Rome Unit Study was first compiled in September 1999, with revisits November 10, 2002, and July 2, 2007. Now refreshed and reworked, it features updated resources, creative lapbook ideas, and new GeoSafari card prompts—making it a fun, flexible way to explore Roman history and culture on a budget.