HASS · Year 7 · 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.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9H7K05

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.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the features of a typical Roman city and its amenities.
2. Differentiate between the daily lives of wealthy Romans and the urban poor.
3. Explain how archaeological evidence from Pompeii informs our understanding of Roman daily life.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the key features and amenities of a typical Roman city, such as aqueducts, forums, and public baths.
• Differentiate the daily routines and living conditions of wealthy Romans versus the urban poor.
• Explain how archaeological findings from Pompeii provide evidence for understanding Roman daily life.
• Compare and contrast the lifestyles of people living in Roman cities with those in rural agricultural areas.

Before You Start

Introduction to Ancient Civilizations

Why: Students need a basic understanding of what constitutes a civilization and the concept of historical periods before studying a specific empire like Rome.

Geography of the Mediterranean Region

Why: Familiarity with the geography of Italy and the Mediterranean is helpful for understanding the context of the Roman Empire's development and expansion.

Key Vocabulary

Insulae	Apartment blocks in Roman cities where most of the urban poor lived. They were often crowded, poorly built, and lacked basic amenities like running water.
Domus	A single-family Roman house, typically occupied by the wealthy. These homes featured courtyards, private baths, and elaborate decorations.
Forum	The central public space in a Roman city, serving as a marketplace, meeting place, and site for political and religious activities.
Aqueduct	An artificial channel constructed to convey water over long distances, essential for supplying Roman cities with fresh water for baths, fountains, and domestic use.
Villa	A large country house or estate, often owned by wealthy Romans. These estates were typically self-sufficient, with agricultural land and housing for workers.

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.

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

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

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

Real-World Connections

• Urban planners today still consider principles of public space and sanitation when designing cities, drawing parallels to the Roman forum and aqueduct systems.
• Archaeologists working at sites like Pompeii use specialized tools and techniques to excavate and preserve artifacts, similar to how historical preservationists protect ancient sites worldwide.
• Modern farmers manage large agricultural estates, which share similarities with Roman villas in terms of land management and the employment of laborers.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with an image of a Roman artifact (e.g., a mosaic, a piece of pottery, a coin). Ask them to write two sentences explaining what this artifact tells us about daily life in the Roman Empire and where it might have been found (city or country).

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'If you could live in the Roman Empire, would you choose to live in a bustling city like Rome or a quiet rural villa? Explain your choice by referencing at least two specific aspects of daily life discussed in class.'

Quick Check

Present students with a Venn diagram template. Ask them to fill it in by comparing and contrasting life in a Roman city (e.g., Rome) with life in a Roman rural area (e.g., a villa). Prompt them to list at least three differences and one similarity.

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.