Why Rome is the Ultimate Classroom for Learning About the Roman Empire

Timeline of history

Exploring the city on foot is one of the best ways to learn about the Roman Empire. With ancient ruins and monuments dotted throughout the city, it provides great insight into the timeline of ancient history. Through architecture, museums and urban planning, Rome acts as a living museum, allowing students to journey from its founding in 753 BCE to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE. Along the way, they can uncover key sites where history was made, from Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome, to the remains of Theatre of Pompey, where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE.

Walking through the same streets as ancient Roman citizens, senators and emperors, students can gain a deeper understanding of how politics and power transitioned Rome from a republic to an empire under imperial rule.  Not only this, but it also shows how this period influenced subsequent moments in history through innovation, engineering, religion and architecture that continue to shape our world today.

Spectacular architecture

Today, students can walk down the Via Sacra, translated as the Scared Way, the oldest and most famous street in Rome. Paved in the 6^th century BCE with hard-wearing basalt blocks, this street acted as the main road in ancient Rome, leading from Capitoline Hill and through the Roman Forum to the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum. It served as a ceremonial route for imperial triumphs and religious festivals, as well as the main walkway into the city.  Students can marvel at the techniques, materials and sheer scale of the engineering and ambition the ancient Romans had that has lasted centuries.

Another mesmerising, geometric wonder is the Pantheon, built in the 2^nd century and dedicated to all the Roman gods – it later became a basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres in 609 AD. The temple symbolised Rome’s power and its position in the heart of the empire. It was later reconstructed by former Roman Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD and as a result, students can uncover the groundbreaking and ingenious methods to construct such a building, from the Roman concrete mixture to weight distribution. It remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world!

Everyday life insights

Sites like the Roman Forum, Baths of Caracalla and the Circus Maximus provide students with a look into what daily life was like for the Romans. Students can discover where Romans relaxed and socialised, held political debates and watched live sporting events, furthering their historical interest and inquiry into how everyday situations have evolved to the present day.

Another location that gives an insight into daily life during the Roman Empire is Ostia Antica. Located 16 miles southwest of central Rome, it’s one of the most well-preserved roman towns and was once a bustling seaport. Students will be amazed at the intact mosaics and ruins where each one has a story to tell. From commercial trade to ancient fast-food shops, taverns and restaurants to religion and socialising, Ostia Antica brings the ancient world to life through a fully immersive experience, allowing students to explore how ordinary citizens lived, worked and interacted nearly 2,000 years ago.

A Cross-Curricular Learning Experience

School trips to Rome aren’t just for history enthusiasts but also for anyone who’s interested in art, food technology and STEM. It’s a great destination ideal for multiple year groups or subjects as it has it all, including excellent museums, delicious cuisine and incredible architecture, making it a fantastic inclusive option.