By 49 BC, the general Julius Caesar had conquered Gaul (today's France) and was the most powerful man in Rome. He made himself dictator for life. Some senators feared he would end the republic, and on the Ides of March (March 15), 44 BC, they killed him. Years of war followed.
Key idea
Romans were great builders. They made about 50,000 miles of paved roads, so that "all roads lead to Rome." Aqueducts carried fresh water from the hills into cities, sloping gently downhill the whole way. They built arches, domes and the Colosseum, where 50,000 people watched games, using a strong Roman concrete.
In AD 79 the volcano Vesuvius erupted and buried the town of Pompeii in ash. Digging there since the 1700s has shown us Roman houses, shops, bakeries and even writing scratched on walls.
| Latin | Meaning | English words from it |
|---|---|---|
| aqua | water | aquarium, aqueduct |
| portare | to carry | portable, transport |
| scribere | to write | scribble, describe |
| annus | year | annual, anniversary |
Worked example: First emperor
- Caesar ruled as dictator and was killed in 44 BC.
- Augustus, his adopted son, became the first emperor in 27 BC.
Answer: No. Augustus was the first emperor.
Common mistake
Try it at home
- Build an arch from a row of sugar cubes, small blocks or folded cardboard. Lean the pieces together over a curved support, then take the support away. Does it stand?
- Write today's date in Roman numerals: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, M = 1,000.