Romans

=__Romans__= The Romans came to Britain nearly 2000 years ago and changed our country. Evidence of the Romans being here can be seen in the ruins of Roman buildings, forts, roads, and baths all over Britain. The Romans invaded other countries too. The Roman Empire covered much of Europe, north Africa, and the Middle East.

Who were the Romans?
The Romans lived in Rome, a city in the centre of the country of Italy. One day, some years before Jesus Christ was born, the Romans came to Britain. Britain before the Romans (The Celts)

Who founded Rome?

 * Romulus** was the founder of Rome. Romulus and his twin brother Remus were the sons of the God Mars. When they were very young they were abandoned by the banks of the River Tiber and left to fend for themselves. Luckily for them they were found by a she-wolf who took pity on them fed them with her milk. The boys were later found by a shepherd who raised them. The boys grew up to be very strong and clever and they decided to build a town on the spot where the Shepherd had found them. They named their town Rome.

When did the Romans invade Britain?
1. Caesar's first raid in August 55 B.C. After winning several battles against the Celtic tribes in south-east England Caesar returned to France. 2. Caesar's second raid - Caesar came to Britain again but this time he brought with him five legions (30,000 foot soldiers) and 2,000 cavalrymen (horse riders). This time the Romans crossed the River Thames.
 * [[image:http://www.chiddingstone.kent.sch.uk/homework/romans/images/new/map.gif width="245" height="288" align="right" caption="Kent as it owuld have looked as the time of the Roman invasion"]]3.** Nearly one hundred years later, in 43 A.D. **Emperor Claudius** organised the final and successful Roman invasion of Britain. They crossed the Channel in three divisions, landing at Richborough, Dover, and Lympne.

The biggest battle was fought on the banks of the River Medway, close to Rochester. It went on for two days before the Celtic tribes retreated.

Many tribes tried to resist the Romans. It took about four years for the invaders to finally gain control over southern England, and another 30 years for them to conquer all of the West Country and the mountains and valleys of Wales.

The first Roman city was Camulodunum also called Colonia Vitricencis. (We know it by the name of Colchester.) It was the seat of Roman power until sacked during the Boudiccan revolt. Why did the

Romans invade Britain?

 * 1) The Romans were cross with Britain for helping the Gauls (now called the French) fight against the Roman general Julius Caesar.
 * 2) They came to Britain looking for riches - land, slaves, and most of all, iron, lead, zinc, copper, silver and gold.

How long did the Romans stay in Britain?
The Romans remained in Britain from 43 AD to 410 AD. That is almost four hundred years (four centuries). 

Why did the Romans leave Britain?
Their homes in Italy were being attacked by fierce tribes and every soldier was needed. 

What did the Romans call London?
The Romans called London '**Londinium**'. The River Thames was quick way to transport goods between Britain and the Continent. The Romans saw this and built the town of Londinium around the river's main crossing point.

Why was the Roman Empire important?
The Romans gave us
 * **Language** The Romans spoke and wrote in Latin and many of our words are based on Latin words.
 * **The Calendar** It was started by Julius Caesar, a Roman ruler. It is based on the movement of the earth around the sun. The names of our months are taken from the names of Roman gods and rulers. The month 'July,' in fact, is named after Julius Caesar himself!
 * **Laws and a legal system**The laws and ways we determine what to do with someone who is accused of breaking a law came originally from the Roman Empire.
 * **The Census** The Roman Empire began the practice of taking a 'count,' of all the people within its boundaries every so often. Today, many countries like ours take a census every 10 years.

The Romans also gave us:
 * straight roads
 * central heating
 * concrete
 * aqueducts (bridges for water)

__Fun Romans Facts!__

 * ===Romans used a sponge on a stick to wipe their bottom. They wore gold metal helmets. They had black fluff on their hats.===
 * ===Girls had to get married at the age of 14 or their Father would choose the husband.===
 * //**Roman women wore a long tunic wich reached almost to the ground. On top they wore a stola,they put on a belted dress at waist and top of this a wool or linen cloak.**//

//**BBC Fun and Games**// //**[|roman facts][|roman soilder][|roman children][|roman fairies]**//

**__Roman childrens school.__**
Only children from healthy and rich families went to school. Poor families needed their children to help work. Schools were not free. Poor families could not pay the tuition.
 * Some Roman families paid school masters to teach their children.
 * The school year started at March 24.
 * Schools were usally just one room.
 * There were about twelve students in a class.
 * Often the teachers were Greek slaves.
 * The Romans thought the Greeks were smart.
 * Children used wax tablets. They would scratch words or numbers in the wax with a pointed stick.
 * Roman books were on rolls of paper called scrolls. Each end of the paper was attached to a rod. The reader had to unroll each page to read the book. People used small reeds to write on the scrolls. The ink was made from a kind of tar called pitch or from an octopus.
 * School lasted until the children were about age 11.
 * A few boys would continue to go to school, but girls went home to learn how to run a home.
 * The boys of the wealthy class continued school. They attended a "grammar" school. There they learned Latin, Greek, grammar, and literature.
 * At age 16 some boys continued their education. They attended classes to prepare as a a public speaker.