KS3 Romans - Why Did the Roman Empire Fall?

This lesson contains:

• A starter to consider two images of Rome and consider what has happened to Rome in between them, and why.
• A background into the problems the Roman Empire was facing. Students watch a brief YouTube video for context and then use the sources sheet provided to complete questions on the board to evidence the different problems the Romans faced (i.e. invasion, corruption, less food to feed the people etc.)
• A task to study a series of events in the fall of Rome on the info cards provided. Students put the cards in order then complete the timeline. The point here is to write in each event higher or lower, according to the axis, depending on whether each even had a minor, some, major or devastating effect on Rome, giving students an opportunity to make a judgement as they set up the timeline. They can extend this by colour-coding the events that came from inside Rome, and those form outside, to provide for a discussion.
• A background of the Empire after the fall, including the survival of the Eastern Empire. Students then do a plenary to discuss a quote from Dan Snow about the main reason for the fall. Students argue for or against Dan Snow’s view, using evidence from the lesson.

Attachments

• 1 x Powerpoint Presentation
• 3 x Publisher Files