Ancient Rome · Term 2

Life in the Roman Empire: City and Country

Students will explore daily life in the Roman Empire, focusing on urban centres like Rome and Pompeii, and the lives of people in rural areas.

About This Topic

Roman law is perhaps the most enduring legacy of their civilisation. This topic explores the development of the 'Twelve Tables', the first written laws of Rome, which were displayed in the Forum for all to see. Students investigate how these laws protected the rights of citizens, particularly the Plebeians, and established the principle that the law should apply to everyone, not just the powerful.

We also look at the structure of the Roman government, including the Senate and the system of 'checks and balances' (like the Veto) designed to prevent any one person from becoming a tyrant. This connects directly to the Year 7 Civics and Citizenship curriculum. This topic comes alive when students can engage in 'Mock Trials' using actual Roman legal principles or compare the Twelve Tables to modern Australian laws.

Active Learning Ideas

Mock Trial: The Twelve Tables in Action

Students are given a scenario (e.g., 'A neighbor's tree fell on my house'). They must find the relevant law from a simplified version of the Twelve Tables and argue their case before a student 'Praetor' (judge), focusing on evidence and the written law.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Inquiry Circle: Checks and Balances

Groups create a 'flowchart of power' for the Roman Republic. They must draw lines showing how the Senate, the Consuls, and the Tribunes could 'block' or 'check' each other, explaining why this was important for preventing a dictatorship.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Then vs. Now

Show students a Roman law (e.g., 'Innocent until proven guilty') and ask them if we still use it in Australia. They discuss with a partner why some laws have lasted for 2,000 years while others (like 'death for singing insulting songs') have been discarded.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Roman law was always fair and equal.

What to Teach Instead

It was much fairer than what came before, but it still treated people differently based on their social class and gender. Comparing punishments for 'Rich vs. Poor' helps students see the limits of Roman justice.

Common Misconception

The Senate was like a modern Parliament.

What to Teach Instead

Senators weren't elected by the people; they were appointed and served for life. Peer discussion about 'representation' helps students distinguish between an ancient oligarchy and a modern democracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the Twelve Tables?

The Twelve Tables were the first written laws of Rome, created around 450 BCE. They were carved onto bronze tablets and put in the public square so that everyone knew their rights and the punishments for breaking the law.

What does 'Veto' mean?

In Latin, 'Veto' means 'I forbid'. In Rome, the Tribunes (who represented the common people) had the power to 'veto' any law or action by the Senate that they thought was unfair to the Plebeians.

How can active learning help students understand Roman law?

By using a mock trial, students see that law isn't just a list of rules, but a process of argument and interpretation. It helps them understand the importance of 'due process' and written evidence, making the link between ancient Rome and our modern Australian legal system much clearer.

Did Rome have a Constitution?

Not a single written document like Australia has, but they had a set of unwritten traditions and laws (the 'Mos Maiorum') that everyone agreed to follow. This 'unwritten constitution' guided how their government worked for centuries.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU