Roman facts & Roman Britain for kids

Time: 750BC - 500AD

How did the Romans begin?

The legend says there were two twins called Romulus and Remus. When their uncle decided to have them killed they were put in a trough and into the River Tiber. They were found by a wolf and a woodpecker, and then raised by a shepherd. The twins eventually went back to the River Tiber where they were found, and created A city. Romulus set a boundary around the city to keep his brother out. but his brother Remus crossed the boundary and Romulus killed him and named the city after himself. The city of Rome.

It was nearly 3,000 years ago when the population of Rome started to grow into the most powerful city in Italy. It was ruled by Kings until the last king was driven out. The city then choose their own leaders, a group of men who came from the most important families. This was the beginning of the Roman Empire as the Romans (the people of Rome) controlled the whole of Italy.

The Roman Empire

The Roman Empire grew even more and took control of many counties in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa over the next 500 years. The Romans were ruthless and bloodthirsty and had a strong army so they won battles and took over the land. But the Romans didn't stop there, they wanted to control even more land.

A gladiator slave called Spartacus gathered a group of Gladiators together to revolt (do battle) against the Roman army. After a year of travelling through the Roman Empire doing battles, they still haven't managed to take control of Rome. Eventually, Spartacus died in battle and the other gladiators were crucified by the Roman army.

Bitesize: Roman Empire
Find out what life was like in ancient Rome and in the army.

Woodlands School
Facts about Romans. Everything explained who they were and their way of life, from the Roman army to Roman entertainment.

History on the net
This website covers a huge amount of information on the Romans. Topics include Roman society, food, clothing, housing, gladiators and more...

Who was Julius Caesar?

As the Romans became more powerful and took more land, the Senators started to argue how they should run the land. In 49BC a man called Julius Caesar came to Rome with his army and took power. Although he tried to make peace, the Senators thought he might become another king and not wanting that again, they killed him.

Who was the first emperor of Rome?

While the Senators still argued, Julius Caesar's great-nephew, Augustus, fought and won control of Rome. He became Rome's first emperor. Altogether, there were 147 Roman Emperors over the whole time the Roman Empire ruled.

The Roman Army

Over the next 150 years, the Romans took control of even more land. They had a strong, well-organised army that could surround a whole city so no one could get out and then eventually, force their way in. Soldiers were very well trained and could march over 50km (30 miles) a day. Any healthy man who was aged between 17 and 46 had to join the army. They would then remain in the army for 25 years.

Places to see Romans

Roman Baths - Bath, UK
The baths were constructed around 70 AD as a grand bathing and socialising complex. It is now one of the best-preserved Roman remains in the world.

Roman Britain

By 55 BC The Roman Empire had reached Britain where the Celts controlled the land. In their first invasion, under Julius Caesar's rule, the Celts won and the Romans didn't get what they wanted. So they tried again 100 years later when Emperor Claudius was ruling. This time they won and took control of southern Britain.

The Celts, not happy with the invasion tried to fight back, but the Roman army was too powerful and each time the Romans defeated them.

The Romans never managed to control Scotland as it was ruled by fierce warrior tribes. In the end, the Romans built a wall called Hadrian's wall in the north of England to keep those fierce warriors out.

Roman facts

Romans were great engineers. They built everything from road, bridge and aqueducts (raised channels to carry water), to drains, sewers and the first-ever block of flats.
Public bath-houses were a great way for Romans to relax and meet friends. They had hot and cold swimming pools, sports facilities and offered massages and beauty treatment.
Before having a bath Romans would rub olive oil over there bodies and scrape it off with metal scrappers called strigils.
The Romans were the first to have underfloor heating. Hot air, heated by a furnace and circulated through brick-lined pipes underneath the floor.
Romans spent their time by eating, drinking, gambling, going to the theatre, chariot races or gladiator fights.

What is Hadrian's wall?

Hadrian's wall was ordered to be made by the Roman emperor Hadrian. It is 117 kilometres long and 4.5 metres high in places. Built-in the north of England, its main purpose was to keep out Celtic raiders.

How did the Roman Empire end?

Around 200AD, the Roman Empire started to fall apart with soldiers were choosing their own emperors and fighting among themselves. In 395AD, the Roman Empire became split permanently into two, East and West.

Then the city of Rome was attacked twice. A Visigoth chief called Odoacer made himself King of Italy and ended the Western Empire. The Eastern Empire continued for another thousand years.