Instructomania presents The Economy of Ancient Rome. This video will detail which natural resources were available to ancient Romans, the type of goods ancient Romans produced, with whom products were traded, and the methods of transportation used to trade. The word economy through a historian's lens means how a civilization makes money through the buying and selling of goods and services.
Some examples may include utilizing resources and trade routes, producing agriculture, and manufacturing products in order to make money. What natural resources were available and which products were made by ancient Romans? The ancient Romans lived on the Italian peninsula, also referred to as the Apennine peninsula of modern Italy.
Like its neighbor Greece, Rome had a limited amount of flat, farmable land. due to several mountain ranges running through it. The Romans adapted by raising animals that needed little land to survive, like sheep, goats, and pigs. They also planted crops that needed little water such as barley, wheat, olive trees, grapes, and citrus fruits. The Tiber River provided most of Rome's fresh water for crop irrigation.
Ancient Roman artisans created clay jars and wool cloth. Technological advancements such as iron farming tools eventually helped them farm more efficiently, and their population grew as a result. Local trade increased when ancient Romans constructed roads of long-lasting materials to withstand traffic and exposure to weather. Who did ancient Romans trade with and in what ways were goods transported?
A surplus of crops such as grains and oils enabled the Roman population to grow. The Tiber River created a natural fjord, or deep waterway, to the city of Rome, offering easy access for sea trade. Other Roman cities such as Alexandria and Antioch also had major seaports.
Roman sea traders traveled to Greece, Spain, northern Africa, India, and kingdoms of Asia. They often navigated the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. since shipping was usually cheaper than sending products on the land route of the Silk Road.
Roman merchants swapped meats, vegetables, cloth, sandals, and pottery for foreign products, such as precious metals, marble, silk, and spices from India. Let's play Track the Trade Goods. Can you track the product on a map? In this game, there will be three products departing at once from different areas to different destinations.
In this first round, you will track the lemons as they travel on the map. There will be other products that may distract you, but keep your eyes on the lemons. Watch the product closely as it travels on the map.
So, where did the lemons end up? Was it Rome, Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, or India? That's right.
The lemons ended up in Mesopotamia. Let's play again. This time you will track the pottery.
Where did the pottery end up? Was it Rome, Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, or India? That's right, it ended up in Egypt. Let's play one last time.
This time you will track the olive oil. Where did the olives end up? Was it Rome, Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, or India?
That's right, it ended up in India. As you can see from the game, making money motivated ancient Romans to grow crops, make products, and travel vast lands to trade. Consider this. In what ways does making money motivate businesses in your community? Be prepared to support your answer with recent examples.
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