- Unit 3. Rome, the Global Empire
- Getting Started
  - What Are We Learning?
  - Observe and Think
  - Map Your Mind
- Rome, the Global Empire
  - The History of Ancient Rome
    - A Little City Become Empire
    - The Legendary Origins
    - The Monarchy (753-509 BC)
    - The Republic (509-27 BC)
      - The Fight for Political Rights
      - Major Conquests during the Republic
      - The Crisis of the Republic
    - The Roman Empire (27-476 AD)
      - The Crisis of the Third Century
      - The Recovery of the 4th Century
      - The Fall of the Roman Empire
  - The Roman Society
    - Women in Rome
    - Slaves
  - The Roman Economy
  - The Roman Law
  - The Roman Army
- Self-Evaluation Quiz
- Complementary Activities
  - The Greek and Latin Roots of English
  - One Myth, One Song
  - Games, Comics and Stuff
- References

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# The Roman Economy

A griculture was the basis of the economy. There were mostly little farmers but also wealthy landowners that employed many peasants and slaves to work on their huge lands. The main crops were, logically, the Mediterranean triad of wheat, grapes and olives.

Crafts were important as well. There were workshops in the cities, with small shops where the craftsmen sold their products.

Mining: gold, silver, iron, copper, tin, lead, and mercury were mined. There were salt mines on the Mediterranean coasts, and salt was used to season and preserve food.

Trade developed considerably thanks to a single imperial currency and a vast network of roads (viae) and ports. In Rome's Trajan Market, one could easily find oil and garum from Hispania; spices, silk and cotton from India or slaves from Africa.

## Activity: Shopping at the Trajan Market in Rome

It was said that one could find everything from everywhere at the Trajan Market in Rome. Check this map out and make a list of products you could find in this market along with their origin.

## Activity

Have you heard of Las Médulas in the province of León? Look for information here and prepare a short presentation about this amazing Roman minery. The presentations will be uploaded to our classroom blog landofpotters.

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