What started as a small city on the banks of the Tiber River grew into one of the most powerful empires in history. In our next unit overview of our World History curriculum, we explore the geography of Rome and how it influenced the rise of a civilization that shaped the Western world.

This episode serves as a companion to our incredible unit plan on Ancient Rome. In the episode, you'll learn about Rome’s transformation from a republic ruled by elected officials to an empire dominated by powerful emperors like Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Nero. We’ll also step inside the bustling streets of Rome to uncover daily life, the violence of gladiator battles in the Colosseum, rise of Christianity, and the political intrigue that led to Rome’s ultimate decline.

You can find resources for teaching about Ancient Rome here and join Students of History for immediate access to hundreds of engaging lessons and resources for teaching ALL of World History.