1. GEOGRAPHY At it’s height the Roman Empire held territory in three geographic regions: Southern Europe, Northern Europe, and North Africa

2. MORE GEOGRAPHY The capital of the Empire was the city of Rome The empire grew around the Mediterranean Sea The empire had access to vast natural resources productive crops and animals, iron ore, and timber. The climate of the region is mild and had warm humid summers and cool winters. This climate is excellent for growing important crops like wheat.

3. RELIGION The religion of ancient Rome is based on an older Greek system of gods and goddesses This belief in many gods is called POLYTHEISTIC Ancient Romans worked to gain the favor of the gods through actions and offerings. For example; building elaborate temples, holding festivals or making offerings. After Constantine becomes emperor he coverts the empire to Christianity

4. ACHIEVEMENTS The Roman empire is known for its architecture including the use of the arch for increased support. These structures include the Roman Coliseum and the Roman Forum. The Romans are also known for providing important public services to their citizens including clean drinking water and a welfare system for the poor.

5. POLITICS The roman empire starts as a MONARCHY. In this system one person, a king, held power and it was passed down to his children. Rome famously develops a REPUBLIC. In this system people are able to vote for a person to represent them in the government and make decisions on their behalf. Eventually Rome changes to a DICTATORSHIP or EMPIRE where one person, an emperor, holds power through control of the military. This power can be handed down in a family or can be passed to another leader (likely from the military.)

6. ECONOMICS Rome developed an organized, or SPECIALIZED, society because they had a highly productive system of farming Rome increased its wealth through the conquering of other territories and acquiring their resources. They also developed a complex system of trade routes along the Mediterranean to spread these goods around the empire Rome’s economy relied heavily on a slave labor force Developed a currency to help facilitate trade

7. SOCIAL STRUCTURE Rome was a society that was organized into social classes including the emperor, senators, equites, plebs, and slaves – Senators: Wealthy landowners who were appointed as part of the government – Equites: Knights – Plebs: Free Roman citizens – Slaves: Non-citizens, considered property to be bought and sold These classes were mostly defined by wealth, gender, and land ownership