Download Roman Empire Webquest

AP World History
Classical Era
Life in the Roman Empire
Directions: Follow the links given as instructed, and answer the questions about each
site as required.
Part I. Roman Housing
Go to http://library.thinkquest.org/26602/romanhouses.htm and use it to answer the
questions about Roman houses.
1) What was the Roman town house called? What English words come from this?
2) How did Roman houses vary? Why was this important?
3) What were Roman apartments called? Did more people live in them or in houses?
4) What were Roman shops called? Where were they built?
5) What was a Roman villa? What were they used for?
Go to http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/pompeii/pmpAreaLy.html for a floor plan
of a house and more information about the rooms in a house. More information can also
be found at http://www.roman-empire.net/society/soc-house.html.
6) What were the various rooms in Roman homes? What was each used for?
7) What cultural values were important to the Romans based on these homes?
8) What was the socioeconomic status of the person who lived in this house? How
do you know?
9) What warning did this person put on their house http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/pompeii/imagesHTM/CanemX.html?
Part II. Life in the City
Go to http://www.roman-empire.net/society/society.html#cityofrome and read about the
city of Rome itself.
1) What was the Forum? What buildings were there? Why was this significant?
(Here’s a reconstruction of the Forum: http://home.surewest.net/fifi/forumov.jpg)
2) Where were the shops and market located? What things would be sold in each
section? (Shops: http://www.vroma.org/images/mcmanus_images/shop2.jpg)
3) What was the subura? Why was it important? What English word is related to it?
Go to http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/baths.html and read the article about Roman
baths.
1) According to the quote by the historian, why were Roman baths so significant?
2) When did Romans go to the baths?
3) Describe, in at least 5 steps, an average day at the bath for a Roman dude:
Go to http://www.roman-empire.net/society/soc-dress.html and read the article about
Roman dress.
1) How many types of underwear did the Romans have?
2) What was the most basic garment, the standard dress for Romans?
3) Who was allowed to wear togas? Why is this important?
4) What was the most valued dye in the ancient world?
5) What was the basic female garment? How could women jazz this up?
Part III. Roman Social Order
Go to http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/socialclass.html and read about Roman social
classes.
1) What groups made up the Roman upper class? What distinguished these groups
from each other?
2) Who were the “plebs”? What rights did they have?
3) Who were the “liberti”? What rights did they have? What limitations were placed
on them?
4) What were the main features of Roman slavery?
Analysis Question: How would life in Roman Empire differ based on your location and
class?