The Roman Empire

Rome was the capital of a great empire which stretched over much of Europe. Rich Romans had pleasant, easy lives as long as peacetime lasts, because they had lots of slaves to do all the hard work for them. However, the poor people had to work hard to earn enough to eat. But at least there were lots of jobs to go around and cheap bread was given out.

In the 6^th century BC, the people expelled their kings and the city became a Republic. In the next centuries, Rome conquered the territory all over the Mediterranean and became an Empire.

The Roman built cities, bridges and roads and spread their language and culture throughout the Empire.

In the 3^rd century AD, the Empire experienced a crisis and was divided into two territories: the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire.

(Source: GARCÍA SEBASTIÁN, M & GATELL ARIMONT, C. Social Sciences. Geography and History 1.2. Barcelona: Vicens Vives, 2010.