Ancient rome

Patricians

Wealthy and powerful Romans who controlled the Roman Senate.

Domus

Private houses in the city where patricians lived.

Peristylium

Walled garden at the rear of a Roman house.

Atrium

Open courtyard in a Roman house with a pool to catch rainwater.

Cena

The main meal of the day for Romans, typically served in three courses.

Plebeians

The common people of Rome, including laborers and craftsmen.

Insulae

Apartment blocks where most plebeians lived.

Dole

Free supply of grain given to the poor in Rome.

Stola

A long tunic worn by wealthy Roman women.

Toga

A garment worn by wealthy Roman men over their tunics.

Hypocaust

An ancient Roman system of underfloor heating used in wealthy homes.

Aqueducts

Channels built to bring water into cities in Ancient Rome.

Gladiatorial contests

Fights between gladiators held in the amphitheatre.

Frescoes

Paintings made on wet plaster, often used in Roman homes.

Dowry

Marriage payment provided by the bride's family to the groom.

Roman Forum

The center of business, political, and religious life in Ancient Rome.

Amphitheatre

Circular or oval building used for gladiatorial games.

Public baths

Facilities where Romans bathed and socialized.

Childbirth dangers

Many women died during childbirth or in their 30s in Ancient Rome.

Romulus

Legendary founder of Rome who killed his brother Remus.

Senate

Political institution in Ancient Rome composed of patricians.

Manager

Individual who ran farms owned by patricians.

Tunics

Short-sleeved garments worn by Roman men and women.

Rubbish disposal

People threw waste out of windows onto the streets.

Craftsmen

Skilled workers such as bakers and carpenters in Ancient Rome.

Thermopolia

Take-away shops in Ancient Rome that sold hot food.

Marriages in Rome

Often arranged to increase family wealth and influence.

Life expectancy

Most children in Ancient Rome did not survive childhood.

Roman Empire

Stretched from Britain to North Africa, dominant for 600 years.

First Century AD

Period during which the Roman Empire was at its height.

Seven Hills

The original sites of village settlements that formed Rome.

Jar and Vaults

Architectural features prominent in Roman buildings.

Wealth inequality

The divide between patricians and plebeians in Ancient Rome.