Page 19 - FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE: THE ROMAN EMPIRE AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

History Year 3 and Year 4

Psalm 78:4b ‘… we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of
the LORD, his power and the wonders he has done.’

 The establishment of Roman schools

 The establishment of Christian schools in Britain

Way to Work

1. Review previous lessons.

2. Talk about the importance of training the next generation referring to
the verses above. The Romans also recognised the importance of generational
transfer of values, skills, beliefs, etc. Use a relay race baton to illustrate how
one generation passes on their ways of life to the next generation, running

alongside one another for a while before the actual changeover.

3. Tell a story of a child on a typical day in a Roman school.

Julius began school very early in the morning so he carried his torch to
light the way. Some children were guided to school by a slave. Julius
stopped to buy a hot bun from the baker’s for breakfast. Some boys and girls
were nervous because the teachers were so strict and would beat them with a

cane. Julius was seven, which was the age when children started school. His
parents had to pay for him to go to school.

School lasted for six hours with no breaks until the children went home

for lunch. Many schools were outside a shop with only a curtain
separating them from the road.
Julius wrote on a board on his lap. He learnt Latin and counted using
Roman numerals. He had no books, so the teacher dictated everything.
He used an abacus for counting or else he used his fingers.

The girls left school when they were 11 years old and could marry at 12.
Some carried on lessons at home. Julius would go to secondary school
until he was 14 then he could marry. He learnt Latin, Greek, History,

Geography, Astronomy, and Literature. He practised speaking in public.
After school he could play games or stay for music classes.

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(Romans)