To begin, do some research on your own about society in Ancient Rome.

Learn about Roman society and the economy:

2.1. Where did Romans live?

2.2. Roman cities

2.3. Roman society

2.4. Daily life

2.5. Economic activity

Make a list of key words, create a concept map and write a summary.

What have you learnt about the society and the economy of Ancient Rome?

Share your work to create a collaborative concept map before participating in a debate.

The Romans built many cities. These cities had a large square in the centre called forum. The forum was surrounded by the most important buildings.

Rich people lived in family houses called domus. The rooms were organized around the courtyard. Light entered through the courtyard and rainwater was collected there.

Some rich Romans had country houses called villas. These had fields for crops and farm animals.

Poor people lived in apartment buildings called insulae.

Rich people had slaves. Slaves were servants with no rights. They could be sold.

• The main crops were wheat, grapes and olives.
• The Romans used irrigation in many areas.
• Free peasants and slaves worked on latifundia.
• The centre of the latifundium was the villa.

• Potters, weavers and other craftsmen had workshops in cities.
• There were a few big industries, like the fish-salting industry (garum).

• The Romans mined gold, silver, iron, tin and lead.
• Mining was hard work, usually carried out by slaves.

• It was so important thanks to a single currency across Roman territories, and an extensive network of roads and ports.

• Oil and wheat were sent from the Península Ibérica to the rest of the empire.

• Spices, silk and cotton were imported from Asia.

• Make a collaborative list of key words and terms about Roman society and economy.
• The whole class can create a concept map about Roman society and its economy.

Discuss the answers to the questions that you found at home, in class:

• What kind of jobs that existed in Ancient Rome still exist today?
• If you could choose one job in Ancient Rome, which one would it be? You can't be the emperor, though...

Roman society was very unequal. Only male adults were considered citizens.
Women could own property and manage a business, but they couldn’t vote.

Roman cities had all kinds of facilities, including public baths, theatres, fountains and sewer systems.

The Romans met their friends and listened to speakers at the thermae, or public baths. They also went to shows at the theatre, circus and amphitheatre.

Main economic activities were trade and agriculture.

Agriculture:

• The main crops were wheat, grapes and olives.
• The Romans used irrigation in many areas.

Trade:

• It was so important thanks to a single currency across Roman territories, and an extensive network of roads and ports.
• Oil and wheat were sent from the Península Ibérica to the rest of the empire.
• Spices, silk and cotton were imported from Asia.