What a week in Rome! We learned that Rome began as a small town in Italy — legend says it was founded in 753 BC by Romulus, who was cared for by a wolf as a baby. Rome grew into a mighty empire ruled by emperors, starting with Augustus.
The Roman army kept the empire safe. Legionaries marched in legions of about 5,000 and protected themselves with the clever tortoise formation. Roman cities buzzed with life: the forum at the center, giant public baths, and tall insulae apartments.
Best of all, we found Rome hiding in our own world: our alphabet, Latin words, the months of July and August, Roman numerals on clocks, and buildings with grand columns. The empire is gone, but its ideas live on!
✔ Rome began in Italy; legend says 753 BC.
✔ Emperors like Augustus ruled the huge empire.
✔ The army used teamwork, like the tortoise formation.
✔ City life: the forum, baths, and insulae.
✔ Roman letters, months, and numerals surround us today.
Write T for true or F for false in each circle.
1. Legend says a rescued baby Romulus and Remus.
2. Rome grew from a town into a huge .
3. The first emperor was .
4. A group of about 5,000 soldiers was a .
5. The busy center of a Roman city was the .
1. If you could visit ancient Rome for one day, where would you go and why?
2. Name one Roman idea you used or saw this very week.
Draw your favorite thing from ancient Rome: the wolf legend, a legionary, the forum, or the baths.
| I can... | Circle one |
|---|---|
| Tell the legend of how Rome began | YES / NOT YET |
| Describe the Roman army | YES / NOT YET |
| Find Roman ideas in today's world | YES / NOT YET |