Roman Towns and Roman Towns and HomesHomes

8B History8B History

Background Information Background Information Roman TownsRoman Towns

In Ancient Roman towns and cities streets In Ancient Roman towns and cities streets were narrow and space was limited so were narrow and space was limited so houses were usually small.houses were usually small.

They tried to make a limit to how high a They tried to make a limit to how high a building could be, and how much space building could be, and how much space there was between buildings. Roofs had there was between buildings. Roofs had to be flat and go between buildings to to be flat and go between buildings to help when fire fighting.help when fire fighting.

Roman Towns cont.Roman Towns cont.

Towns in Rome Towns in Rome were made up of were made up of streets and blocks streets and blocks - called - called insulaeinsulae - - which contained which contained houses, shops, houses, shops, workshops and workshops and bars.bars.

Roman Insulae

Roman Towns – cont.Roman Towns – cont.

At the centre of the town there was usually At the centre of the town there was usually a a forumforum, or market place, where people , or market place, where people went to conduct business and gossip. went to conduct business and gossip. Next to the forum was the Next to the forum was the basilica basilica or or town hall, dedicated to the old Roman town hall, dedicated to the old Roman Gods. Other temples around the town Gods. Other temples around the town were dedicated to a variety of Gods. were dedicated to a variety of Gods.

Roman Towns cont.Roman Towns cont.

Bath houses Bath houses were another were another

type of type of building building

important to important to the life of the life of

town dwellers.town dwellers.

Roman bathhouse

Roman Towns cont.Roman Towns cont.

Most Roman towns were smaller than Most Roman towns were smaller than modern cities, with populations ranging modern cities, with populations ranging between a few thousand people to between a few thousand people to perhaps 30,000. Only great trading cities perhaps 30,000. Only great trading cities and capitals of the Empire were bigger and capitals of the Empire were bigger than this. Rome was home to a million or than this. Rome was home to a million or more.more.

Task 1Task 1

In your history In your history books, draw an books, draw an aerial view of a aerial view of a typical Roman typical Roman city, using the city, using the information information provided in the provided in the notes above. notes above.

Task 1 cont.Task 1 cont.

Include: Include: StreetsStreets Insulae – apartments, shops, barsInsulae – apartments, shops, bars Forum/ market place Forum/ market place Basilica/ temple – to the old Roman Gods, and Basilica/ temple – to the old Roman Gods, and

to othersto others Bath housesBath houses The city wallThe city wall

Task 1Task 1

Make sure you label your maps.Make sure you label your maps. Colour code the buildings and write a Colour code the buildings and write a

key. In your key, explain in 1-2 key. In your key, explain in 1-2 sentences what each building was sentences what each building was used for.used for.

Task 2Task 2

Divide into groups of 4.Divide into groups of 4.

Allocate each group member a task to find Allocate each group member a task to find out about:out about:

Where the rulers livedWhere the rulers lived Where rich people lived.Where rich people lived. Where poor people lived.Where poor people lived. Where slaves lived.Where slaves lived.

Task 2 cont.Task 2 cont.

Separate and go to expert groups. Work Separate and go to expert groups. Work together, using the links on the next slide, together, using the links on the next slide, to find out information about where your to find out information about where your people lived.people lived.

Record the information in dot points in Record the information in dot points in your books.your books.

Task 2 – cont.Task 2 – cont.

Return to your original group. Each Return to your original group. Each member has 3 minutes to share their member has 3 minutes to share their information with the rest of the group.information with the rest of the group.

Use this information to draw up a table in Use this information to draw up a table in your books comparing the way rich your books comparing the way rich people lived and the way poor people people lived and the way poor people lived.lived.

Helpful LinksHelpful Links Ancient Roman HomesAncient Roman Homes Roman Houses and VillasRoman Houses and Villas Roman HousesRoman Houses Roman Slave’s HomesRoman Slave’s Homes Roman ApartmentsRoman Apartments Roman DomusRoman Domus Roman VillasRoman Villas Roman PalacesRoman Palaces Roman HomesRoman Homes Roman InsulaeRoman Insulae A Roman HouseA Roman House

HomeworkHomework

Draw a floor plan of a typical Roman Draw a floor plan of a typical Roman House. House.

Label each room.Label each room. Choose 3 rooms and describe what they Choose 3 rooms and describe what they

were used for.were used for.