DK findout! Rome - Peter Chrisp

Rome

Author and consultant: Peter Chrisp

Senior editor Marie Greenwood Contents
Senior art editor Jim Green
Editor Olivia Stanford 4 Who were the Romans?
6 Roman society
Design assistant Rhea Gaughan 8 The Roman Empire
Additional design Helen Garvey 10 Ruler of Rome
Managing editor Laura Gilbert 12 The emperors
Managing art editor Diane Peyton Jones 14 Roman army
Pre-production producer Nikoleta Parasaki 16 Roman soldiers
18 At work
Producer Srijana Gurung 20 Everyday things
Art director Martin Wilson 22 Slaves
24 Children in Rome
Publisher Sarah Larter
Publishing director Sophie Mitchell Temple

Educational consultant Jacqueline Harris Citize

First published in Great Britain in 2016 by n
Dorling Kindersley Limited

80 Strand, London, WC2R 0RL

Copyright © 2016 Dorling Kindersley Limited
A Penguin Random House Company
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
001–291662–July/2016

All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in
or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in

any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the

prior written permission of the copyright owner.

A CIP catalogue record for this book
is available from the British Library.

ISBN: 978-0-2412-5023-5

Printed and bound in China

A WORLD OF IDEAS:
SEE ALL THERE IS TO KNOW

www.dk.com

BCE/CE Theatrical masks

When you see the letters bce, it means years
Before the Common Era, which began in the
year 1ce (Common Era).

2

Ro man coin

26 Roman clothing Freedw oman 48 In the arena!
28 Roman baths 50 Racing track
30 Eat like a Roman 52 Gods
32 Dinner party 54 Pompeii
34 Medicine 56 What did the Romans give us?
36 Latin 58 Roman facts and figures
38 Roman numbers 60 Glossary
40 City of Rome 62 Index
42 Building work 64 Acknowledgements
44 The Colosseum
46 Gladiators Legionary

Caesar
Julius
aRnodmeaanr stcwoeoepzers

3

Who were the Romans?

Let’s travel back in time, almost 2,000 years, to the Roman Empire.
The year is 117ce, and the Empire is at its greatest size, ruled by
Emperor Trajan. Let’s talk to these two
Romans, playwright Terentius and his
wife, and ask them about their world.

Q: What is an A: An empire is a
empire and large area of land
where is it? ruled by one person.
The Roman Empire

covers most of
Europe and beyond.

Q: What is the A: The great city of
capital city of Rome! It is built on
the Empire? the Tiber river in
Italia. To us, it’s the
centre of the world.

Q: Have you A: No. Until 27bce,
always had an Rome was a republic,
ruled by a government
emperor? voted for by the people.

Before that it was
ruled by kings.

4

Q: How did A: We conquered ! REALLY?
you get to it with our armies.
have such a Over 20 per cent of the
big empire? We are good at world’s population were
winning wars!
part of the Roman
Empire at its height.

A: The first king Q: Why are you
of Rome was Romulus. called Romans?

It was said he built
Rome after killing his
twin brother, Remus,
in an argument over
where to put it. He then
named the city after

himself.

A: Wherever we rule, Q: Have you
people now dress like Romans changed

us, use the same the lands you
coins, and some conquered?
worship our gods. But
we often add their
gods to our own.

A: Today, it stretches Q: How big is the
4,000 km (2,500 miles) Roman Empire?

east to west and
3,700 km (2,300 miles)
north to south. About

60 million people
live in it.

5

Roman society ! WOW!

Within the Roman Empire, there were different Emperor Pertinax
groups of people, with different rights, or (126–193ce) was

entitlements. Roman citizens had more rights the son of a
than non-citizens, and slaves had no rights at all. freed slave!
However, slaves could earn their freedom, and rise

to a different level in society. The way people
dressed helped show which group they belonged to.

Stola White toga
This ankle-length The toga was a
dress, called a woollen robe,
stola, was worn by draped around
married women. the body.

Tunic Palla
This slave is A palla (shawl)
wearing a was worn over
simple tunic. the stola.

Slave Freedwoman Citizen

Slaves were people who Through loyal service, slaves The rights of a Roman citizen
were owned by other could earn their freedom. included being able to vote, to
Romans as property. Former slaves were called serve as a government official,
freedmen and freedwomen. and to wear a long woollen robe
They might be prisoners
captured in war, or the They kept close ties with their called a toga.
former owners, who might set
children of slave
parents. As the Empire them up in business, such
became bigger, so did as shopkeeping.
the number of slaves.

6

Head wreath Toga colours
Instead of a crown,
emperors sometimes There were several types
wore a wreath of laurel of toga. Each kind was
leaves. Sometimes the worn at particular times
wreath was made of gold. or occasions, or by
different classes of citizen.

Toga pura
This toga was made
of plain wool. It was
the everyday toga
of ordinary citizens.

Toga picta
This purple and
gold toga was worn
by emperors.

Purple toga Toga candida
Emperors wore a A toga whitened
purple and gold toga with chalk was worn
when they appeared by men standing
in public. for election.

Emperor Toga pulla
A dark brown
From 27bce, Rome was toga was worn by
ruled by an all-powerful men in mourning
emperor. He was high for a person who
priest, lawmaker, and had died.
army commander-in-chief.
After he died, he might Toga praetexta
even be worshipped as a The toga praetexta
god, as was the case with was plain with a
Emperor Augustus. purple border.
It was worn by
high officials.

7

Britannia (Britain) Warrior Briton
The Celtic warriors of Britain
Emperor Claudius invaded painted themselves with patterns
Britannia in 43ce, but only before going into battle.
part of the island
was ever won. Londinium Italia (Italy)

Gallia (Gaul) It took a hundred years
of warfare before Rome
Gallia was conquered by conquered the whole
Julius Caesar in 58–50bce. of Italy, in 264bce.
Before the invasion it wasn’t
united, but ruled by separate Roman soldier
Celtic tribes. Roman foot soldiers
were called legionaries.

Carthaginian Gallic warrior Rome
Empire Warriors from the Pompeii
Celtic tribes were
Carthage was a powerful led by a chieftain. Carthage
city on the coast of the
Mediterranean. Between War elephant
264–146bce, Rome Some Carthaginians
fought and won three fought from the backs
wars against Carthage. of war elephants.

The Roman Empire

This map shows how the Roman Empire grew in size,
through wars of conquest, between 146bce and 117ce.
It included all the lands around the Mediterranean Sea,
which the Romans were able to call “mare nostrum”,
meaning “our sea”. Before 27bce, Rome was ruled by
elected officials, but after it was controlled by emperors.

8

Graecia (Greece) Parthian Empire KEY

The Romans conquered the The Parthians ruled a The purple areas represent the
Greeks in 146bce. Yet they rival empire to the east. lands the Romans ruled. The areas
admired their way of life, Although the emperor in lighter purples were conquered
copying Greek buildings, Trajan conquered part of later than the darker areas.
art, and sciences. their empire, in 115–117ce,
they later won it back. The Republic, 146bce,
following the conquest
Greek soldier of Greece and Carthage.
Soldiers from
Greece fought Early Empire, 27bce,
with long spears when the first emperor
called sarissas. Augustus came to power.

Constantinople The Empire, 117ce,
under the emperor Trajan
the Empire reached its
greatest extent.

Parthian soldier
Parthians fought as
heavily armoured
horsemen.

Athens

Mediterranean
Sea

Alexandria

RomaonnEammpairpe,osfhtohwe nwionrlpdu. rple,

9

Interview with Julius Caesar FACT FILE

Ruler of Rome » Name: Julius Caesar
» Dates: 100bce–44bce
Julius Caesar was a great soldier and general. » Location: Rome
Before the emperors were in charge, the Senate, » Fun fact: He liked to
a group of noblemen, ruled Rome. In 44bce
Caesar defeated the Senate and made himself wear a wreath to hide his
“Dictator”. Here, we imagine how an interview bald head.
with Julius Caesar may have gone.

Q: Caesar, which of your conquests Caesar’s head
are you most proud of? Julius Caesar was the first
A: It’s very hard to choose between living Roman to have his
them. As I always say “veni, vidi, portrait on a coin.
vici”.
Q: “I came, I saw, I conquered”? Q: How did you
A: Exactly. You should really read the defeat the Senate?
book I wrote about my success in Gaul. A: I am the best general
I also led two expeditions across the Rome has. My loyal soldiers,
sea to Britain. toughened up by fighting those Gauls,
Q: Is it true that the Britons paint are unbeatable. The Senate’s leader
themselves blue? Pompey was no match for me.
A: Yes, when they go into battle. But we Q: People say that you’ve started
Romans will show them the proper way acting like a king.
to live. We’ll make sure that one day, A: I am not a king, but the Empire
they will even have bathhouses! needs a strong leader to keep it united.
Q: Why did you go to war with Q: Why have you put your portraits
the Senate, Caesar? on coins?
A: After successfully conquering Gaul A: The people need to know who is in
(France) they ordered me to give up my charge. Don’t I deserve the honour,
army, and return to Rome as a private after all I’ve done for Rome?
citizen. I couldn’t do that, could I?

10

Statue of Caesar I came, Q: Which are your greatest
This is a bronze statue I saw, achievements?
of Caesar dressed in I conquered!
military clothing. A: I created a new calendar so a year
now has 365 days. Before, there were
only 355 and an extra month had
to be added every few years. A month
has been renamed “Julius” (July) in
my honour.
Q: Aren’t you worried about making
enemies?
A: I’m good at winning over enemies. I
forgave Brutus, who fought against me in
the civil war. Now he’s like a son to me!
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: In three days, I set off east, to conquer
the Parthians of Persia. Today I have a

meeting with the senators at the
Theatre of Pompey. I’m just
off to see dear Brutus
there now.

Dagger

Stabbed

Caesar never got to fight the
Parthians. In 44bce, on the
15 March, a day known as
the “Ides of March”, Caesar
was killed. He was stabbed
to death by a group of
senators led by his
former friend Brutus.

11

The emperors

A Roman emperor had enormous power.
Some emperors used their powers wisely,

while others were just not up to the job. FACT FILE
Here are four of them. Were they good
or bad leaders? » Born:

FACT FILE 37ce

» Born: » Ruled:

63bce 54–68ce

» Fun fact: He raced a

chariot in the 67ce
Olympic Games.

» Ruled: Nero

27bce–14ce Nero ruled well at first: encouraging art and
culture, and boosting trade. But power went
» Fun fact: He was just
to his head. Nero murdered anyone who
18 when he became heir challenged him, including his own mother!
to dictator Julius Caesar.

Augustus Good Bad

After defeating his rivals, Augustus made • Gave many splendid • Had anyone who did
himself the first emperor in 27bce. He had public shows to not agree with him
total power, but did not live like a king, entertain the people. put to death.
claiming that he was just the “first citizen”.

Good Bad • Built theatres, and set • Murdered his mother,
up athletic games wife, and
• Brought peace and • Took power by force, and chariot races. step-brother.
firm rule, after years killing his rivals.
of civil war. VeGrdoiocdt: VBeraddict: • Was rumoured to
have started the
• Lived simply, unlike Great Fire of Rome
a very rich and in 64ce.
powerful ruler.
• Blamed Christians for
• Expanded the the Great Fire.
Empire.
• After the Great Fire,
• Built many fine he took over a large
public buildings area of Rome to build
and good roads. a huge palace (the
Golden House) just
• Funded the arts, for himself!
such as literature.

12

FACT FILE FACT FILE

» Born: » Born:

53ce 76ce

» Ruled: » Ruled:

98–117ce 117–138ce

» Fun fact: Born in » Fun fact: He ordered

Spain, he was the first Rome’s biggest building
non-Roman emperor. project: Hadrian’s Wall.

Trajan Hadrian

Trajan was a great general, whose success Hadrian, who followed Trajan, gave up some
and popularity led to him being adopted by of the Empire’s earlier conquests in order to
the emperor Neva. Trajan’s conquests saw
strengthen the Empire’s borders. He was
the Empire expand to its maximum size. possibly the hardest working emperor.

Good Bad Good Bad

• Expanded the • His expansion of the • A very good • His travels meant he
Empire. Empire made it so administrator, he was often away from
big that it became made the Empire Rome, making him
• Built a new forum in hard to rule well. more secure. unpopular there.
Rome, using money
he won in war. • Forced thousands of • Built strong frontier • Executed several
prisoners of war to defences, such as senators who had
• Provided funding fight as gladiators. Hadrian’s Wall to stop plotted against him,
to help educate the northern tribes and then denied it!
orphans and poor VeGrdooicdt: attacking Britannia.
children in Rome. VGeoroddict:
• Travelled widely
• Reduced taxes. around the Empire.

• A cultured man, he
wrote poetry and
designed buildings.

• Built many new public
buildings and rebuilt
others, including the
Pantheon.

13

Roman army Slingers

The Roman army was made up of around Slinger auxiliaries could fire stones
28 legions, each with about 5,000 soldiers, at the enemy with deadly accuracy.
or legionaries, who fought on foot. They They came from islands southeast
were helped by auxiliaries, who were
fighters from lands conquered by the of Spain, where boys were
Romans. They brought extra skills that trained to use a sling
the legionaries may not have had, and from a very
included cavalrymen, archers, and slingers. early age.

Leather bag
for carrying
stones

Ways of fighting

Legionaries grouped themselves
in various different ways when
fighting, in order to give
themselves the best
possible protection
and to help them
attack the enemy
more effectively.

Testudo Bare shins
These soldiers are Only the lower legs, or shins, of the
grouped into a testudo legionaries were left unprotected.
(Latin for “tortoise”).
Holding shields over
their heads gives the
men a hard, protective
“shell”, just like a tortoise!

14

Vexillum Army organization
This flag-like banner was
used to rally the men in Legions were broken up into smaller
battle, helping them to units, called cohorts and centuries.
stay together. Vexillum This made it easier to manage such
means “little sail”. a large group of men. Each cohort
or century had its own leader.
Standard bearer
This legionary’s task was = 1 legionary
the most dangerous, as he 80 legionaries
has no shield to protect
him from enemy fire. Century
A century
Curved shield consisted of 80
The large, curved men. They were
shape wraps around commanded by
the legionary’s body. an army officer
called a centurion.

= 1 century

Cohort 6 centuries
A cohort was made = 1 cohort
up of six centuries
grouped together,
making 480 soldiers
in all. They were led by
a more senior centurion
than the ones in charge of
each century.

10 cohorts

Legion = 1 legion
As well as 10
cohorts of foot 15
soldiers, there
were around
120 horsemen,
who acted as
messengers and scouts.
The commander of a legion
was appointed by the emperor,
and was called a legatus.

Roman soldiers Legionary

Roman foot-soldiers, called legionaries, had Legionaries all wore
full-time jobs in the army. They were highly trained, the same clothing
well-armed, and always ready for battle. Lots of and had the same
exercise, such as running and swimming, kept them equipment. This
fighting fit. This made the Roman army the most helped them fight
feared in the ancient world. together as a group.
They were led by
a centurion.

Helmet
A helmet, with cheek flaps to
protect the face, covered most
of the head, but let the soldier
see and hear clearly.

Armour Shield
A legionary’s body A long curved wooden
armour was made of shield, with a central
overlapping metal bronze boss (plate),
strips, which allowed protected most of the
him to move and legionary’s body.
bend freely.
Sandals
Sword Leather sandals had
A short sword, called soles lined with iron
a gladius, was kept in a studs, to stop them
scabbard, or cover, on wearing out on long
the right hip. It was marches.
used for stabbing.

16

Helmet crest s Centurion 0 kgtools.
Centurions wore a sideways
crest on their helmets, A A centurion was an officer in
made from horsehair. lb)command of 80 legionaries.
This made them easy His helmet crest made him
to see on the battlefield. (90stand out from the other men,
and he often carried a stick.
Stick
Centurions were strict. Medals
They carried a stick, These seven metal
using it to strike any plates are medals, won
legionary who was by the centurion for
slow to obey orders. bravery in battle.

Mail shirt oldiaenrd’sipnaclcukdceoduflodowdeaingdh 4
Centurions wore armour made of
mail, which is hundreds of tiny iron 17
rings linked together. They allowed
for good protection against the
thrust of a sword or dagger.

Greaves
The centurion’s shins were
protected with metal
guards, called greaves.

At work Romans usually bought their bread
from a bakery. The loaves were baked
Although the Romans lived in a round oven. Roman bakers were
2,000 years ago, many of the also millers. They ground grain into
jobs they did are still done by flour, using mills powered by donkeys
people today. What job do you
think you would have done if or horses.
you lived in Roman times?
Engineer

Actor Aqueduct in Segovia, Spain

Romans loved the theatre, especially
as it was free! Actors performed on a
semi-circular stage. Some actors were big
stars, with devoted fans, just like today.
However, unlike modern actors, they
usually wore masks. These showed what
the character was feeling, for example
happiness, sadness, fear, or surprise.

Roman theatre in Bosra, Syria

Roman engineers, who designed buildings
like this aqueduct, were highly skilled.
Aqueducts were used to channel water
to towns and cities. The aqueduct had to
be built at exactly the right angle to
ensure the water flowed smoothly.

18

Lawyer Roman teachers ran schools, which were
just for boys. Lessons usually took place
Let justice in the teacher’s own home. Teachers used
be your a tablet made of wax and a pointed stick,
cause!
called a stylus, to teach children how
to write.

Roman lawyers Doctor
had to make long
speeches, to Roman doctors used instruments that are still
persuade people to in use today, such as sharp scalpels for cutting
see their point of and forceps (tweezers) for removing splinters.
view. Lawyers
either accused or The Romans believed that gods could help
defended people them get well, so doctors combined practical
brought to trial for
crimes, such as skills with religious rituals.
theft or murder.
Many speeches by Surgeon’s Surgical forceps
Roman lawyers can knife
still be read today.
Shopkeeper
Farmer
Shops were found on the
In Roman times, most people ground floor of houses and
lived in the countryside, and
worked as farmers. Much of the sold everything. Even
takeaway food was available!
hard work, such as raising In 107–110ce, the emperor
animals and growing crops, Trajan built a shopping centre
with more than 150 shops.
was done by slaves.

19

Match the objects with the descriptions. 3

1

2

A B C

Frying pan Razor Sponge stick

This Roman soldier’s frying Roman barbers shaved their Toilet paper had not
pan has a folding handle. This customers using a razor. been invented in Roman
meant that it could be easily This had to be regularly times. Instead, people
packed away into his baggage resharpened on a piece of used a sea sponge on a
or stored for later use. leather called a strop. long stick.

Everyday things

While life in Roman times was very different from how we live
our lives today, some things were similar. Here’s a collection
of items that people used in Roman times. Some of them you
may recognize, while others may seem strange. See if you can
match each item with its description.

20

45
6

D E F

Plumb line Folding tool Strigil

To work out if a wall or This folding device, like a Instead of soap, Romans
doorway was straight, Roman pen knife, combines a spoon, rubbed themselves with olive
builders used a plumb line. knife, and other tools. It may oil, and then scraped their
This is a lead weight dangled have belonged to a traveller, skin clean with a curved metal
on a length of string. such as a merchant. tool, called a strigil.

Public toilet

Roman towns had public
toilets, where people sat
side by side! They were
flushed by flowing water.
Water also flowed through
a channel on the floor and
sponges were rinsed in
this after use, and then
left for the next visitor.

Answers: 1D 2F 3E 4A 5B 6C 21

I'm not sure about
her. She looks like

the lazy type
to me…

Buying a slave

You could buy a slave in
the marketplace, just
like you would buy
any other goods you
wanted. A buyer would
look very carefully at
the slaves on sale,
checking for signs of
carelessness, laziness,
a bad temper, or
poor health.

Slaves ! WOW!
Some slaves
Slaves were men, women, and children who wore tags saying
were owned as property. If they disobeyed who owned them,
their owner, they might be harshly punished.
Most Romans saw nothing wrong in owning in case they
slaves. However, many believed that they had ran away.
a duty to treat their slaves well.
A runaway
slave would
be returned
to the address
on the tag.

22

Slaves served A trusted slave Changing roles
food and wine delivered letters
at mealtimes. and ran errands. A special holiday for slaves was held
every year in late December. This
Slaves at work was during the Saturnalia festival,
which honoured Saturn, the father
Rich Romans had slaves of Jupiter. For one day, slaves
to do almost everything swapped places with their owners,
for them. Slaves helped who served them.
their master or mistress
to dress in the morning Some owners
and to get ready for bed treated their slaves
at night. Slaves also to a special feast.
prepared and served all
their meals, cleaned up A female slave would
after them, and even dress a Roman
entertained them. lady’s hair.

You have served me Wow! Now, I can buy
well. I therefore give my own slave!
you your freedom.
Freeing a slave

Slaves who were loyal
and worked hard might
be rewarded by being
given their freedom.
Many slaves were highly
skilled and, once they
were free, went on to run
successful businesses and
even have their own slaves.

23

lla amulet Bu Family life
Pull-a
The bulla Romans’ homes were usually
was a lucky busy places with as many as
charm that
Roman boys five or more children.
wore around Mothers, with the help of
the neck. slaves if they were lucky,
supervised all their children’s
Greyhound play and early education.

Dogs were Toys
popular pets,
along with birds
and even goats!

String was threaded long horse Roman children had many toys that
through the toy you would recognize today, such as dolls,
horse’s nose so it toy soldiers, animals on wheels, rattles,
could be pulled wooden blocks, and balls. There were even
along. sets of ivory letters to practise spelling.

Doll

Children in Rome Girls played
with dolls, made
Roman children were very much like children are today. from wood or
At home, they had toys, played games, and kept pets. bone. This one
has moveable
arms and legs.

Some of them also went to school, although
it was very rare for a girl to go. Many children, especially
from rich families, were educated at home, taught by
either their parents, slaves, or hired tutors.

24

ot Reed pen

Ink p This reed pen
s
has a carved nib. Wax tablet

Older children Education
wrote with a reed
pen, dipped in At seven, boys might go to
ink, on sheets of school, or be given a private
wood or papyrus, tutor. They studied literature,
which is paper maths, and public speaking.
made from reeds. Girls usually stayed at home to
learn how to run a household.
Poor children often had to
work, helping their parents.

Abacus Children learned to Young children practised
count by moving writing by scratching letters
Marbles balls along a frame on a wooden tablet coated
Animal knucklebones called an abacus. in wax.
were used to play
catching games, The game of marbles ! WOW!
like jacks. was already popular
in Ancient Rome. Cats were not
popular pets with
children in Ancient
Rome. They were

seen as a
nuisance!

Knucklebone

Home
schooling

Rich Romans usually hired
tutors to teach their
children at home. Here
two teenage boys are
seen reading to their tutor.
A third boy looks like he
has just arrived, possibly a
little late for his lesson!

Carving showing a Roman lesson, from Germany.

25

Roman clothing Necklace
Roman women
The Romans did not wear close-fitting tailored loved jewellery
clothes, such as jackets or trousers. Clothes for of all kinds,
men and women were made of large pieces of often made
cloth, draped around the body or tied with of gold and
belts. The basic item was the tunic, made precious gems.
from two rectangles of fabric with two holes
for the arms. It was knee length for men,
and longer for women. border
Gold

Women’s clothing Purple and gold
Purple dye was
On top of their tunic, women expensive. Only
wore an ankle-length dress, rich Romans, like
called a stola. Over this a the imperial family,
shawl, called a palla, could could wear it.
be added. The palla might
rest on the shoulders or cover Palla
the head, like a veil. The palla was a
type of shawl. It
! WOW! came in many
colours.
Emperor
Augustus, who Stola
felt the cold, wore A stola was a
four tunics at the long dress worn
over the tunic.
same time!

26

Men’s clothing Short hair Putting on a toga
Roman fashions
Male citizens had the right in hair changed Usually a slave would help a
to wear a toga, a woollen over time, just Roman put his toga on, as they
sheet draped around the like today. were very long and heavy.
body. This was so
important to Romans Beard Step 1
that they called Beards were made The toga was a
themselves “the race fashionable by the 5.5 m (18 ft) long
that wears the toga”. emperor Hadrian. semi-circular woollen
sheet. Different colours
Tunic of toga were used for
A tunic was different occasions.
worn under After you have put
the toga. on your tunic, pick
your toga.
Free arm
The toga only Step 2
covered the Drape one end of the
left arm. The toga over your arm
right arm was and shoulder, making
left free. sure the fabric reaches
the floor. Then wind
Toga the other end around
The toga was not your back.
worn all the time.
Citizens would Step 3
often wear Pass the toga under
just a tunic. your arm and back over
the first shoulder again.
Sandals Be careful not to let the
Many styles of fabric on your first arm
leather sandal slide off.
were worn.
Step 4
Make sure the toga
is secure. Now you’re
properly dressed
and ready to go!

27

Roman baths Tepidarium
People often returned
Every Roman town had a bathhouse for the local to the warm room at the
people. This was not just a place to wash, but also to end to relax and for a
exercise, relax, and meet friends. Men and women final rub with oil.
bathed separately. Big baths had separate areas for
men and women. With smaller baths, men and
women went at different times of day.

HOW TO USE THE BATHS D

A Apodyterium Romans E
went to the changing rooms
(apodyterium) first to undress. Furnace Hypocaust
Slaves guarded any valuables. The baths were heated The floor rested on columns
by hot air from a furnace. of brick, creating spaces for
B Palaestra Visitors might then Slaves brought a constant hot air from the furnace to
go to the palaestra, an area for supply of wood to feed pass through. This underfloor
exercise. People used lead the fire. The hottest room heating system is called
weights, wrestled, or played was the one nearest a hypocaust.
ball games to work up a sweat. the furnace.

C Natatio They could then
take a swim in the (unheated)
swimming pool, called a natatio.

D Tepidarium In the warm room,
slaves would rub visitors with
scented oil, and use a curved
bronze tool called a strigil to
scrape away dirt and dead skin.

E Caldarium Romans might visit
the hot room (caldarium) next
to sit in the steam bath. This was
heated with hot air flowing
under the floor.

F Frigidarium People visited
the cold room (frigidarium) and
jumped into a refreshing plunge
bath to cool off.

28

Apodyterium Baths at Bath
There were openings in
the walls of the changing The Romans built this bathhouse in
room for visitors to leave the city of Bath in England, taking
their clothes. advantage of a natural supply of hot
water. The baths were sacred to a
Frigidarium goddess called Sulis Minerva.
This cold room, with

A its plunge pool, is the
one furthest away
from the furnace.

The Great Bath, Bath, England

F

BC

29

Eat like a Roman Snails

Rich Romans loved to throw dinner parties, Snails were such a
where they served course after course of popular food that they
unusual dishes. We can still read Roman were raised on special
cookbooks, which have recipes for snail farms, where
flamingo tongues, ostrich brains, they were fed on milk.
and boiled parrots!

Garlic

The Romans liked garlic
for its taste and because

they thought it gave
them strength. Roman
soldiers ate garlic before

going into battle.

Fruit

Romans enjoyed fresh
fruit for dessert. They
ate many types of fruit,
including figs and pears.
30

Oysters Fish

Oysters were eaten by The Romans ate all kinds of
rich and poor. Vast fish. They also loved a spicy
numbers of oyster shells sauce, called garum, made
have been found in Roman from the rotting insides of
rubbish dumps. mackerel and other fish.

I hear they
eat flamingos
...I’m getting
out of here!

Bread

Bread was the main food
eaten every day by the
poor. Loaves of Roman
bread have been found in
the ruins of Herculaneum,
near Pompeii.

Dormice

Dormice were fattened
up in special pottery jars
before being eaten. A baked
stuffed dormouse was a
popular snack.

Olives

The Romans ate olives
whole, but they also
pressed them to make
olive oil. This oil was
used in cooking and
burned in lamps.

31

1
7

10
4

Dinner party

This Roman painting shows the end of a dinner party. Dinner,
or cena, often lasted for hours and included entertainment
like music and dancing. Romans ate and drank while lying
on couches while slaves served food and drink. The food here
has been cleared away and the guests are now drinking wine.

32

! WOW! WHAT’S IN THE PICTURE?

5 Romans ate 1 Wall painting This
with their painting is from a
fingers, though house in Pompeii.
used a spoon
for soup! 2 Triclinium Roman
dining rooms had
9 6 three couches for
2 guests to lie on. Only
8 two can be seen here.
3
3 Table Food and drink
was placed on low
tables so it was within
easy reach.

4 Bowl Diners washed
their hands in bowls
between each course.

5 Wreaths Rings of
leaves were worn
like party hats.

6 Pale skin This was
fashionable for women
and was a sign of high
status (class).

7 Wine Romans added
water to their wine to
make it weaker.

8 Tableware Glass
cups and bowls
were expensive.

9 Couch Padded
cushions made
couches comfortable
to recline on.

10 Loose, light clothes
These were worn by
the men, unlike the
heavy toga worn in
public. Their uncovered
shoulders show they
are relaxing.

33

Fenugreek seeds Sage
Roman doctors This plant was
prescribed seeds sacred to the
of the fenugreek Romans. It was
plant for treating thought to have
pneumonia. powerful healing
properties.

Flax seeds
Crushed flax seeds
were used to help
heal wounds and
soothe sore throats.

Chamomile Hook retractor Black pepper
This plant was used to A hook was used to Medicines
treat headaches, as hold blood vessels containing black
well as liver and pepper were used
kidney problems. out of the way to treat many
during operations. problems, including
colds, earache and
toothache.

Ligula
This bronze
instrument, a ligula,
could be used to mix
and apply ointments
or remove earwax.

Medicine

Roman doctors used many medicines, made
from lots of different plants, to fight disease.
The Romans were also skilled surgeons,
thanks to years of experience treating
wounded soldiers and gladiators. Alongside
practical treatments, the sick prayed to the
gods to help them get well.

34

Scalpel
Boils could be
removed with
a sharp scalpel.

Cucumber Spatula
The cooling effect of Doctors used metal
cucumber was used spatulas for mixing
to fight fever and their own medicines
reduce hot and and to apply them.
inflamed skin.

Ointment spoon
Metal spoons were

used for applying
ointment and giving

liquid medicines.

Honey Vinegar
The antiseptic, Roman soldiers
healing powers carried a vinegar
of honey were well drink called posca
known to the Romans, that was thought
who applied it to cuts to be strengthening.
Vinegar was also
and wounds. used to clean wounds.

Greek doctors Fennel
Fennel had more than
The Ancient Greeks were 20 medical uses,
the first people to develop including treating eye
problems and
a scientific approach to calming the nerves.
medicine. Their theories

and treatments were
adopted by the Romans.

In fact, most of the
doctors in Ancient Rome

were Greek.

Latin Panis

Would you like to speak some Latin, the language (PAN-iss)
of the Romans? We’ve labelled this town street Bread
with Latin words, and how to say them. In fact,
you might already use Latin without knowing it.
Many European languages still use letters and
words similar to ones in Latin. Thousands of
English words come from Roman ones.

Tabula Thermopolium
(TAB-u-la)
Tablet (ther-mo-POLE-ee-um)
Snack bar
Via
(WEE-ah) Puer
Street
(POO-er)
36 Boy

Vir Caput

(weer) (CAP-oot)
Man Head

Crus Brachium
(BRAK-ee-um)
(croos) Arm
Leg
Manus
(MAN-oos)
Hand

Calx Genu

(KAL-ix) (GAY-noo)
Heel Knee

Columna Cave canem

(col-OOM-na) A mosaic is a picture made up of tiny
Column squares of stone or glass. This one
shows a dog and the words “Cave
canem”. Can you guess what the
Latin words mean? They say, “Beware
of the dog”.

Ianua

(YAN-oo-ah)
Front door

Miles Mosaic found in the city of Pompeii.

(MEE-lays) Fenestra
Soldier (fen-ESS-tra)
Window
Pisces
Puella
(PIE-sees) (POO-el-ah)
Fish Girl

Corbis

(KOR-biss)
Basket

Mendicus Domina

(MEN-di-koos) (DOM-ee-nah)
Beggar Woman

Maleus

(MAL-ee-oos)
Hammer

Canis

(CAN-iss)
Dog

37

Roman numbers FACT FILE

The Romans used letters to stand for numbers, » Seven symbols
such as V for 5. We call these letters Roman Roman numerals
numerals. Roman numerals were used throughout have 7 symbols:
the Roman Empire for counting and pricing I=1
goods. Even after the end of the Empire, the V=5
numerals continued to be used throughout X = 10
Europe for hundreds of years. L = 50
C = 100
D = 500
M = 1,000

How numerals worked 12 3
45 6
The Romans only used seven letters 78 9
to make all their numbers. Each has 10 20 30
a set value, such as X for 10. 40 50 60
Numbers without a matching letter 70 80 90
are made by adding or subtracting 100 500 1000
the values of these seven letters. If
a smaller numeral is to the right of
a larger one, you add them, so LX
stands for 60 (50 + 10). But if the
smaller numeral is to the left of the
bigger one, we take the smaller one
away. So 40 is shown by XL (50 - 10).

! WOW!

The Romans
had no numeral

for zero!

38

Numerals now Alarm clock Big numbers

Although Roman To work out a big number written in
numerals are quite Roman numerals, first list the 1000s,
complicated, we still use then the 100s, then the 10s, and last
them for decoration. the 1s. Finally, add them together.
Look out for Roman For example, MMXVI is
numerals on clock faces,
coins, and on the dates M M XVI
at the end of television 1000 + 1000 + 10 + 5 + 1
programmes. = 2016

I II III CCotwMaoofrtampofastiauhnpcdpnedlkeeetsbrtotVetoutrehthottstheywoueneemvhsdicaeiubcdoosshydfu.dtytTmuhheehpesaeertopehaPnarenuogasapemwn.ptpiesioeewrnciiieesorsf
IV V VI
VII VIII IX X + VII = ?
X XX XXX L - XX = ?
XL L LX C÷V=?
LXX LXXX XC X + II = ?
CDM
Now add up your answers!

Today, we can turn a 3
into 30 by adding a zero.
But the Romans couldn't
do this. To write 30, they
wrote the symbol for ten
– X – three times.

Answer: 79ce 39

! WOW!

Around
one million
people lived in
Ancient Rome!

2

4

7

City of Rome

This is a model of the centre of Rome, capital
city of the Empire. It was full of grand public
buildings including temples, law courts, and
sports arenas. Rome was also home to the
emperor, whose huge palace stood on the
Palatine Hill.

40

3 WHAT’S IN THE PICTURE?
1
1 The Forum The centre
of government, law,
and business.

2 Circus Maximus
The Empire’s greatest
racetrack, used for
chariot racing.

3 Capitoline Hill Rome‘s
most important temples
stood on this hill. The
biggest one was the
Temple of Jupiter.

4 Palatine Hill This hilltop
was covered with palaces,
built by several emperors.

5 The Temple of Claudius
Temple named after
Claudius, who was declared
a god after he died.

6 The Colosseum
This open-air building was
used for gladiator fights.

7 The Aqua Claudia One of
eleven great aqueducts,
bringing water to the city.

6

5

41

Building work Arch

Roman builders copied the styles of Greek A building with arches is as
architecture, but built on a much grander strong as one with solid walls,
but is much quicker to build.
scale. They made great use of arches, The Romans used arches to
mass-produced bricks and concrete, and built build this aqueduct (bridge
the world’s first domes. The Romans were so for carrying water) across a
good at building that many of their aqueducts, French river.
temples, and bridges are still standing.
du Gard, France
Insula Pont
Wall Insula in Her
Town buildings were divided
A lot of building work was into blocks, called insulae
done by the Roman army. (islands).The brick
They built Hadrian’s Wall apartments of
to form a defensive insulae could be
barrier that separated up to seven
the Romans in storeys high.
Britannia from the
tribes further north. culaneum

Wall, England Insula in Ostia, Rome
Hadrian’s

42

Dome Temple of Bacc hus, Lebanon Temple

The Romans invented the dome, Roman temples look like Greek
a rounded roof used to span a temples. But while the Greeks built
wide space. This is the concrete using cut stone, the Romans used
dome of the Pantheon, a temple cheaper bricks. They saved stone for
to all the gods built by Emperor
Hadrian in Rome. the facings (decorative features).
Temples were used to honour gods,
Pantheon, R and some even honoured emperors.

ome Column
Temple of
Augustus, Croatia In Rome, Emperor Trajan built
a 38 m (125 ft) high marble
column, decorated with scenes
of his wars of conquest. His
ashes were buried in the base.

olumn, Rome
Trajan’s C
Via
Road

The Roman Army also built a
network of long straight roads,
with deep foundations. These
were the best roads built until
modern times. One of the most
important roads they built
was the Appian Way (Via
Appia Antica).

Appia Antica, Rome

43

The Colosseum

The Colosseum in Rome was the Empire’s
biggest amphitheatre, a building for
open-air shows. It seated 50,000
visitors, who came to watch men,
called gladiators, and wild animals
fighting and being killed
for entertainment.

WHAT’S IN THE COLOSSEUM? G F

A Imperial box The emperor Entrances B
and his family sat in a big box There were 80 street
in the front row. entrances to the Fight to the death
Colosseum so the Gladiators fought in
B Lowest level The richest male audience could enter pairs or against
citizens sat in the lowest level, and exit quickly. animals. They often
where they had the best view. fought to the death.

C Middle level Ordinary male
citizens sat in the second level.

D Highest level The highest
level was for women and
foreign visitors to Rome.

E Arena The arena, or fighting
area, had a wooden floor covered
with sand to soak up blood.

F Gladiators’ entrance The show
began with a parade by the
gladiators, who entered through
this gateway.

G Statues The outer walls were
decorated with statues of gods
and emperors.

44

Women
Women were only allowed
to sit in the top level seats.
They were dressed more
colourfully than the men,
who wore plain togas.

Sunshade
These poles supported an
awning, which could be
extended to shelter the
crowd from the hot sun.

D

C

A

E

Hidden rooms
Beneath the floor, there
were tunnels with cages for
wild animals, such as lions,
rhinoceroses, and giraffes,
as well as prisoners. They
would be released into the
arena through trapdoors.

45

Gladiators PROVOCATOR Weapons
Gladius
Romans loved watching shows (short sword)
in which gladiators fought to the Armour
death. Most gladiators were slaves, Helmet, breastplate,
convicted criminals, or prisoners tall shield, right
of war, who were forced to fight. arm guard, left
However, some free men, who liked shin guard
fighting and sought the fame and Special features
wealth success brought, chose to be The provocator
gladiators. There were several types, (challenger)
each armed in different ways. was the only
gladiator to wear
a breastplate.
He usually fought

other provocators.

MURMILLO Weapons RETIARIUS Weapons
Gladius Trident
(short sword) (fishing spear),
Armour net, and dagger
Big helmet, Armour
tall shield, Right shoulder
right arm guard, and arm guard
left shin guard Special features
Special features The retiarius (net
The murmillo (fish man) was armed
man) had a tall like a fisherman,
helmet, often with a net to trap
decorated with his opponent and
a fish crest. He a trident. With little
was a slow, heavily armour, he had to

armoured fighter. move very quickly.

46

SECUTOR Weapons 5 AMAZING FACTS
Gladius
(short sword) Gladiators
Armour
Rounded helmet, 1 Gladiator means ”sword man”,
tall shield, right from the gladius (short sword)
arm guard, left that most gladiators carried.
shin guard
Special features 2 Women also became gladiators.
The secutor A female fighter was called
(pursuer) always a gladiatrix.
fought against a
retiarius. His helmet 3 Successful gladiators were
was rounded, treated like today’s pop stars.
making it harder
to get caught in 4 Famous fights were pictured
the retiarius's net. on the walls of fans’ houses.

Weapons 5 Wild animals were fought
Curved sword by gladiators called bestiarii.
Armour
THRAEX Helmet, small HOPLOMACHUS Weapons
shield, thigh-length Gladius (short
leg guards sword) and spear
Special features Armour
The equipment Feather-topped
of the Thraex helmet, round
(also known as shield, right arm
a Thracian), was guard, thigh-length
based on that used leg guards
by the Thracians, Special features
who were The hoplomachus
long-standing (“armed fighter”
enemies of Rome. in Greek) had the
round shield and
spear of a Greek
foot-soldier.

47

In the arena!

It’s the day of the games, and Memnon, the murmillo, is due to
fight Felix, the retiarius. Memnon has never yet lost a fight, but
he’s getting older and slower. Felix has less experience, but he’s
young and fit. Who will win today?

RETIARIUS SAABWLOUEUTWTEHTYOOOUAD!RIEE MURMILLO

VS The summa rudis
(referee) raises his staff,
Gladiators fought in pairs. The lightly armoured retiarius and orders the fight
was often matched with heavily armoured murmillo. to begin.

OOOF! Memnon now attacks back. He
strikes at Felix, but catches his
shoulder guard. The summa rudis

watches on.

POW!

Felix rushes forward with his long trident,
hoping to take Memnon by surprise. His trident
bounces off Memnon’s shield.
48