LibGuides: Humanities: Ancient Rome

About this guide

This guide shows you how to take notes, use a variety of reliable resources to locate relevant information as well as how to create a Reference List of all the resources you've used.

Assessment task 4 : Ancient Rome

Notetaking

One effective strategy for improving retention is note taking – not just because you’ll have a written record to refer to in the future, but also because the actual act of taking notes can help cement concepts in your mind. There is no single way of taking notes. Browse these resources to find what suits you.

Tips on how to organise the information you've read into a useful set of notes State Library of Victoria - Ergo

Once you've read this, watch the Cornell Method video. This is an excellent strategy.

Note-taking (University of Melbourne)

Resource box

A Resource Box of print resources has been created. These can be used in class or individual books can be borrowed for overnight loan. Ask library staff.

Life in Ancient Rome

This site about Ancient Rome from the BBC gives information about topics like the Roman Empire, Roman amphitheatre, Pompeii, Life in Ancient Rome, Gladiators, Romans in Britain, Roman technology and an Ancient Rome timeline.

BBC History- Ancient Rome

Start by searching both Britannica School Edition and World Book Online for an overview of gladiators.

See below for further information:

Gladiators: Heroes of the Roman Amphitheatre
How gladiators were recruited, the rules and regulations of fights, fighting styles, life in the gladiators' barracks, criticism and popularity of the combats as entertainment.
Gladiators, 50 AD - Eyewitness to History
Includes a recount by the roman philosopher Seneca of an arena fight
Arena: Gladiatorial Games - VROMA
A description of the arena and an event, and the different types of gladiators.

See U in History 2019. Gladiators: The Arena Warriors, online video, 24 May 2021. Duration: 11 mins.

The Inforgraphics Show 2019. The horrible life of an average Roman Empire slave, online video, 25 May 2021. Duration: 9 min.

Word on the Via: Fortunata - National Geographic
An imagined interview with a female slave named Fortunata, describing life as a slave and the working conditions of slavery.
Roman slavery
Why Rome depended on slaves, where slaves came from, how they were traded and their legal status. Also, how slavery was affected by a changing empire.
Resisting Slavery in Ancient Rome - BBC History
This article explains the conditions of slavery in Ancient Rome, and the attempts by slaves to oppose slavery and their masters, either through organised rebellion or by individual actions.

Radford, F 2018. From slave to rebel gladiator: the life of Spartacus, online video, 25 May 2021. Duration: 6 mins.

The Romans flooded the Colosseum for sea battles.

Dig in to the history of the Roman Empire’s staged gladiatorial naval battles and how they flooded the Colosseum to reenact famous battles.

Start by searching both Britannica School Edition and World Book Online for an overview of Julius Caesar.

Tempest, K 2014. The great conspiracy against Julius Caesar, online video, 25 May 2021. Duration: 6 mins.

Rome and Christianity - History Learning Site
The dangers of being a Christian in Ancient Rome.
Roman religion - UNRV
Gods and goddesses, worship practices in the family, the priestly colleges, emperors as gods, and the emergence of Roman religion and Christianity.
Christianity and the Roman Empire - BBC History
Persecution with periods of toleration, the conversion of Constantine (left) to Christianity, and its subsequent gradual spread.
Religion: The Roman Empire - PBS
Description of public and private worship, Judaism in Ancient Rome and the rise of Christianity.

The Roman Empire and Trade
Explains the importance of road and sea transport for successful trade.
Roman Empire: Road and Trade Network
This map gives information about the Roman’s road system throughout the empire and its primary maritime trading routes between the busiest and largest port cities within the empire.

Start by searching both Britannica School Edition and World Book Online for detailed information about the Punic Wars.

See below for further information:

The Women's March: Rome
A series of laws were implemented after Second Punic War in 215 BC, a period of financial crisis. Many particularly affected women.
The power of women
The 2nd Punic War (218-201 B.C.E.) was especially lethal leaving at least 50,000 Roman soldiers dead and many women in charge of their property.

Start by searching both Britannica School Edition and World Book Online for information about Pompeii and Herculaneum (both cities were destroyed in the 29 CE eruption).

Devore, G 2021. Run, sail, or hide? How to survive the destruction of Pompeii, online video, 24 May 2021. Duration: 5.30 mins.

Zero One 2013. A Day in Pompeii animation. Online video, 24 May 2021. Duration: 8 minutes.

What was life like in the Roman army? - BBC Bitesize
How soldiers were recruited and trained, their skills, and how the army was arranged.

Infographics Show 2019. Most hardcore soldier: Roman Legionnaire, online video, 24 May 2021. Duration: 12 mins.

The Roman legion
How was the Roman army structured?

Books about Ancient Rome

Books available in the library
Includes an eBook

Encyclopaedias

Click on the above image to go to Encyclopaedia Brittanica. From there you can access the Primary, Middle and High levels of Brittanica.

Brittanica online provides research materials including articles, images and videos.

Recommended fiction set in ancient civilizations

Click on the image if you're interested in reading stories set during ancient times.

Infobase Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome
Infobase database which includes numerous topics to do with Ancient Rome. Includes images, maps,video, articles and primary source documents.