Role of the Roman Empire in history
                     R O L E  O F  T H E  
R O M A N  E M P I R E  
I N  H I S T O RY
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Some say the city of Rome was founded on the 
Palatine Hill by Romulus, son of Mars, the god of 
war. Others say that Aeneas and some of his 
followers escaped the fall of Troy and established 
the town. 
Regardless of which of the many myths one 
prefers, no one can doubt the impact of ancient 
Rome on western civilization. 
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C . O R G 2
F O U N D E D  I N  7 5 3 B C
Rome was founded in 753BC by its first king, 
Romulus. It grew into a rich and powerful city 
during the next few hundred years.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T I O N A L G E O G R A P H I C . O R G 3
I N C L U S I O N  O F  I TA LY
By AD 117 the Roman Empire included the whole 
of Italy, all the lands around the Mediterranean 
and much of Europe, including England, Wales 
and parts of Scotland.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 4
A B O U T  F I R S T  K I N G
Roman legend says that Romulus had a twin 
brother called Remus. As babies they were 
abandoned in the area which later became Rome. 
A she-wolf found and raised them, but when they 
grew up, Romulus fought and killed Remus and 
became the first ruler of Rome!
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 5
R O M A N  A R M Y
The Romans built such a huge empire and 
conquered new lands, thanks to their strong 
army. The Roman army could march up to 40km a 
day.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 6
A M A Z I N G  A R C H I T E C T S
The Romans didn’t spend all their time fighting – 
they were amazing architects and engineers too.
They built roads and walls – things we now take 
for granted.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 7
L O V E  F O R  F O O D
The Romans liked to enjoy their food, often lying 
down on a couch while eating with their hands. 
They occasionally used a spoon, but they would 
never use a knife and fork. Rich Romans liked to 
eat exotic food, such as stork, roast parrot and 
even flamingo.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 8
B E L I E V E  I N  G O D S  A N D  
G O D D E S S E S
The Romans believed in gods and goddesses who 
ruled over different areas of life. 
For example, Neptune was the god of the ocean, 
and they prayed to him to protect them at sea. 
Temples were built to honour the gods, and 
people would visit them with offerings.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 9
C O L O S S E U M
One of the most famous buildings left by the 
Ancient Romans is the Colosseum a huge 
ampitheatre in the centre of Rome. 
This is where members of the public would come 
to watch sporting events and games, including 
battles between Roman gladiators.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 10
C O M M O N  C L O T H E S
Tunics – two pieces of woollen fabric sewn 
together at the sides and shoulders, with 
openings for your arms and head were the most 
common clothes in Rome. 
Some Romans also wore togas a kind of woollen 
shawl to show how wealthy they were.
S O U R C E :  W W W . N A T G E O K I D S . C O M 11