The rise of the Emperors
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the difference between the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.
Key learning points
- The Roman Republic continued to expand, conquering places like Ptolemaic Egypt.
- Julius Caesar rose to power as a general and then as dictator of Rome, but was murdered by jealous senators in 44BCE.
- Augustus was victorious in the subsequent civil war and became Rome's first emperor.
- The empire retained a senate which awarded the emperors their power.
- The Roman Empire expanded under the emperors as they used conquest to legitimise their rule.
Keywords
Dictator - a dictator is a person with complete power and control over a country
Civil war - a civil war is a war between different groups of people from the same country
Emperor - an emperor is the ruler of an empire
Common misconception
Julius Caesar was an emperor of the Roman Empire.
Julius Caesar was not an emperor of the Roman Empire but a dictator of the Roman Republic.
Teacher tip
Stage a debate for Task C: what is the main difference between the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire?
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Before Rome became a republic, it was ruled by ...
Q2.Who was the last king of Rome?
Q3.In Roman society, a free citizen could own a , a person who did not have freedom.
Q4.The wars between Rome and Carthage are known as the __________ Wars.
Q5.The Roman Republic grew by adding Macedonia and Carthage as ...
Q6.Order these events chronologically.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following was not a province of the Roman Republic?
Q2.Which country was known as Rome's breadbasket?
Q3.Julius Caesar was __________ because he had complete power and control over Rome.
Q4.Which territory did Julius Caesar conquer?
Q5.The Roman Empire was ruled by ...
Q6.Match the people to their descriptions.
To help you plan your 4 history lesson on: The rise of the Emperors, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 history lesson on: The rise of the Emperors, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Romans: what did it mean to be a Roman? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.