The Rise of Rome
The Roman civilisation began in the city of Rome, built on hills beside the River Tiber in the land of Italy in southern Europe. Over hundreds of years, Rome grew from a small city into a powerful state. At first Rome was ruled by kings, then it became a republic, in which leaders called senators met in the Senate to make laws. Later it became the Roman Empire, ruled by an emperor.
A Vast Empire
The Roman Empire became one of the largest in the ancient world. It spread around the Mediterranean Sea and reached across parts of Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. A strong, well-trained army conquered new lands, and a network of straight stone roads connected the empire so that soldiers, traders and messages could travel quickly.
Key idea
Rome grew through three stages: kingdom, then republic (rule through the Senate), then empire (rule by an emperor). At its height the Roman Empire surrounded the Mediterranean Sea.
Roman Contributions
The Romans left a lasting mark on the world. They developed a famous system of law that treated written rules as the basis of justice, and many later legal systems learned from it. They were skilled builders who used the arch and concrete to construct roads, bridges and water channels called aqueducts. The Latin language of Rome became the root of many European languages, and Roman ideas about government and law are still studied today.
Remember
- Roman civilisation began at Rome beside the River Tiber in Italy.
- Rome passed through kingdom, republic and empire.
- Romans gave the world advances in law, roads, architecture and the Latin language.