The Roman Empire (A2-B1)

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• Select section Introduction

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  Introduction

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  Ancient Rome was the centre of one of the largest and most powerful empires in history. With its centre in today’s Italy, the Roman Empire conquered the whole Mediterranean region and spread its influence to the Middle East, Northern Africa, Western and Central Europe. It reached the height of its power between 100 and 200 A.D. Afterwards, the Roman Empire began to collapse because it became too big to rule. The West Roman Empire ended in 476 A.D. when Germanic tribes invaded, the East Roman Empire continued to exist for many centuries.

  The ancient Romans influenced countries and civilizations in the following centuries. Their language, Latin, became the basis for many other European languages. Governments and legal systems in the western world were founded on Roman law. The ancient Romans were the first to build bridges, concrete roads and a sewage system that took waste water away from houses and homes.

  
  
  

  The Roman Empire at the height of its power
  Image : User:Jrockley / User:Kasper Holl, CC BY-SA 3.0,
  via Wikimedia Commons

  
  
  

  Words
  
  

  • A.D. = after the birth of Christ
  • ancient = old, from a long time ago
  • century = a period of a hundred years
  • collapse = break apart
  • concrete = material that consists of sand, cement, stones, and water
  • conquer = to take control of a country by fighting
  • empire = group of countries that are controlled by a single ruler or king
  • found-founded = start ; here: to be based on
  • government = the people who rule a country
  • height = highest point
  • influence = power
  • invade = to enter a country with an army
  • legal = about the law
  • Mediterranean = area between Europe and Africa
  • rule = govern, control
  • sewage system = human waste and used water is carried away in underground pipes and canals
  • spread = here: to make larger
  • tribe = group of people who belong to the same race and have the same traditions and language
  • waste water = used water that is not clean
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  • Select activity The History of Ancient Rome

    

    The History of Ancient Rome Page
  • Select activity Life in Ancient Rome

    

    Life in Ancient Rome Page
  • Select activity Religion

    

    Religion Page
  • Select activity Famous Romans

    

    Famous Romans Book
  • Select activity The Roman Empire - Word List (PDF)

    

    The Roman Empire - Word List (PDF) File
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  Video

  • Select activity Ancient Rome - National Geographic

    

    Ancient Rome - National Geographic Page
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  Tasks and Exercises

  • Select activity Multiple Choice Test

    

    Multiple Choice Test Page
  • Select activity True or False 1 ?

    

    True or False 1 ? Page
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    True or False 2 ? Page
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    Words and Definitions 1 Page
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    Words and Definitions 2 Page
  • Select activity Match the Sentence Parts

    

    Match the Sentence Parts Page
  • Select activity Dates and Events

    

    Dates and Events Page
  • Select activity Who is Who in Ancient Rome ?

    

    Who is Who in Ancient Rome ? Page
  • Select activity Life in Ancient Rome - Missing Word Cloze

    

    Life in Ancient Rome - Missing Word Cloze Page
  • Select activity Julius Caesar - Missing Word Cloze

    

    Julius Caesar - Missing Word Cloze Page
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    Roman Gladiators - Missing Sentence Parts Page
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    Crossword 1 Page
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    Crossword 2 Page
  • Select activity Word Search

    

    Word Search Page
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  End of Unit Test

  • Select activity The Roman Empire Test (PDF)

    

    The Roman Empire Test (PDF) File
  • Select activity The Roman Empire Key (PDF)

    

    The Roman Empire Key (PDF) File