Geography and Economy of Ancient Rome

6th Grade UBD - Unit 7 - Geography and Economy of Ancient Rome

Preview

Where was Rome- Rome grew from a city in

central Italy to a huge empire that included parts

of Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Location Leads to Expansion- Rome’s location

and geography gave it advantages that other

locations did not have.

Roman Roads and Coins- Roman coins and

roads helped make trade and travel much easier

during the Roman Empire.

Reach Into Your Background

Roman soldiers were often

used as labor on large

construction projects. The

many roads built by the

Romans were just one of

the reasons they were

able to build a strong and

long-lasting empire.

Explain what role roads

played in shaping the

United States. ( 5

minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- Where was Rome?

Rome was founded along the Tiber River in the

center of the Italian peninsula.

The Roman Empire extended as far north as

modern-day Great Britain and Scotland.

The empire extended as far southwest as the

country of Morocco and as far east as the country

of Syria.

The Roman Empire began as a small city in

central Italy but expanded greatly over hundreds

of years.

Key Term

Rome- The

capital city in

Italy, was

founded in 753

BCE. Rome rose

to become the

capital of an

entire empire

comprising

almost all of

current-day

Europe.

Key Term

Italy- A peninsula

on the north

coast of the

Mediterranean

Sea, in the

southern part of

Europe. The Alps

form the

country's

northern border,

and the Apennine

mountain range

runs down its

length.

The Beginning of the Roman CivilizationVideo- The Beginning of the Roman Civilization

The Founding of Rome

Roman civilization had an

enormous impact on the

world, as the Roman Empire

expanded and conquered

much of modern-day Europe

and the Middle East and

parts of North Africa.

For more than 1,000 years,

Rome ruled this part of the

world.

The Founding of Rome

Rome is located in the

center of modern-day

Italy on a peninsula,

which is a piece of

land surrounded by

water on three sides.

This peninsula

stretches into the

Mediterranean Sea.

The Founding of Rome

Over time different towns

joined together to form

the city of Rome.

In 509 BCE, the Roman

Republic formed, and the

city eventually became

the political center of a

large empire.

Natural Benefits

The geography and

climate helped the

different towns develop

into a city and then into

an empire.

Mountains protected

Rome from attack.

A warm climate allowed

year-round farming. 

Key Term

Weather- The

state of the

atmosphere at

a place and

time as

regards heat,

dryness,

sunshine,

wind, rain, etc.

Key Term

Climate-

The weather

conditions

prevailing in

an area in

general or

over a long

period.

Rome’s Natural SitesReading Handout- Reading Handout- Rome's Natural Sites

Key Ideas- Location Leads to Expansion

Rome’s location on the Tiber River in central Italy meant

that it could easily sail in the Mediterranean to trade with

other places.

The mountains and hills of Italy helped keep Romans safe

from attacks.

Rome’s warm climate made it a good place for farming,

which meant that Romans had plenty of food. Rome’s

location and climate made it an excellent location for

growing grains and other crops.

Rome’s geographic conditions helped it to develop a trade-

based economy. It also made it easier for Rome to extend

throughout the Mediterranean region.

Rome’s Waterways

Access to freshwater

allowed Romans to

irrigate their crops,

increasing

agricultural output.

Proximity to

waterways made

trade easier, helping

the economy grow.

Rome’s Waterways

Like many other

ancient civilizations,

Rome’s farmers

depended on a major

river.

The Tiber River

provided them with

fresh water.

The Romans used the

water to irrigate their

farms.

Rome’s Waterways

The Tiber also

provided drinking

water for humans

and animals.

However, unlike

many other

civilizations, Rome

did not develop in

the river’s delta.

Rome’s Waterways

Rome began about 15 miles from where the

Tiber River empties into the Mediterranean

Sea. This distance gave Rome extra

protection.

Its enemies had to move inland from the

coast to reach the city.

However, Rome was still close enough to the

sea that Romans could use the river to get to

the Mediterranean.

Rome’s Waterways

As the empire got bigger,

Roman farmers could not

grow enough food to feed

the larger population.

Rome imported wheat

from North Africa and

olive oil from Spain.

Trade became important

for the Roman food supply.

Key Term

Import-

Bringing

goods or

services into

a country

from abroad

for sale.

Key Term

Export-

Sending

goods or

services to

another

country for

sale.

Key Ideas- Roman Roads and Coins

Romans built thousands of miles of roads and bridges.

Soldiers, messengers, and traders throughout the

empire used them.

Romans had such advanced building skills that some of

their roads still exist today.

Romans made coins that were used for trade throughout

the empire. These coins showed pictures of Roman

rulers, gods, and goddesses.

The development of roads made travel and trade

throughout the empire easier. This helped Rome to

expand its influence and empire.

All Roads Lead to RomeVideo- All Roads Lead to Rome

Roman Roads and Bridges

Roman emperors

stressed road building

as a way to increase

trade, strengthening

the economy, and as a

way to move armies,

increasing the

capability of the empire

to conquer even

farther-flung lands.

Roman Roads

The phrase “all roads

lead to Rome” is a

reminder that Roman

roads connected the

whole empire to the

capital.

These roads show the

strength of Roman

engineering.

Roman Roads

The roads were built of several different

layers. Often, the top layers were paved.

The Romans also built drainage ditches along

the sides of the roads. The ditches kept water

from damaging the roads.

Some parts of this road system are still used in

Europe and the Middle East.

Roman Bridges

In addition to roads,

Romans also built

many bridges.

The bridges helped

Romans reach

territories that were

separated by rivers

and other bodies of

water.

These bridges were

made of stone.

Key Term

Monetary

System-

Anything that is

generally

accepted as a

standard of

value and a

measure of

wealth in a

particular

country or

region.

Coin MintingReading Handout- Coin Minting

Monetary System

The development of metal

coins used as money to

increase the economic

power of the empire.

The common monetary

system used throughout

the Roman Empire made it

easy and efficient to trade

with far-flung territories.

Monetary System

The Romans made

coins out of gold, silver,

and other metals.

The coins were worth

different amounts

based on the different

metals from which they

were made.

Monetary System

The Romans had

coins of several

different values.

Like today, the

government

guaranteed the

value of the coins.

Monetary System

The decorations on

Roman coins, many of

which are still in

existence, show

present-day historians

and archaeologists

details of life in the

Roman Empire.

Field Trip to the Money FactoryVideo- Field Trip to the Money Factory

Review

Achievements such

as roads, bridges, and

coins helped Romans

develop trade

networks that allowed

them to grow rich and

helped to unify the

empire.

Independent Activity

What has been the

“muddiest” point so

far in this lesson? That

is, what topic remains

the least clear to you?

(4 minutes)

Partner Activity

Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)