KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
Teachers’ notes
These activities are designed to help KS2 pupils studying the impact of the Roman
Empire on Britain (with a particular focus on the city of Londinium) to develop
historical enquiry skills through exploration of the Roman London gallery. The visit
can help pupils discover how archaeology helps us to interpret the past and deepen
our knowledge of the technology, ideas, beliefs and lifestyles that the Romans
brought to Britain.
These activities are designed for use by schools making self-directed gallery visits
as well as schools attending booked sessions.
They are offered in Microsoft Word format so that teachers can adapt for their
pupils’ needs, if they wish.
Schools planning self-directed visits should book for the Roman London gallery, as
on some days the gallery will be booked exclusively for use by other schools. If you
have not booked it is possible that you will not be able to access this gallery.
To extend chronological understanding you may also like to book the London
before London gallery and/or the Medieval London gallery.
We suggest you split the class into groups and allocate each group a different
starting point, so that pupils are spread across the gallery.
Please remember to photocopy these activity sheets before your visit. Pupils could
also bring sketch pads or cameras to record their visit.
© Museum of London 2014. This sheet is designed to be edited by teachers.
The Museum cannot take responsibility for edited content.
KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
Notes for adults
Please support your pupils by exploring and learning together. You can help by
reading and discussing text and caption panels and expanding on the questions
within the activity sheets.
Areas of discussion might include:
 finding evidence of chronological changes to Londinium while Britain was
part of the Roman Empire (the gallery is laid out chronologically). It may also
help to look into the galleries on either side, to discuss what Britain was like
before and after Roman occupation
 similarities and differences between Roman and modern London
 comparing themes such as power, home life, trade, language and
entertainment
 considering how archaeology helps us to understand the past and how
different artefacts on display might have looked when new.
This map will help you and your pupils to find your way around.
© Museum of London 2014 . This sheet is designed to be edited by teachers.
The Museum cannot take responsibility for edited content.
KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
Trade
Look at the tools of the trade from the shoemaker’s and glassmaker’s workshops.
Imagine you have just started as an apprentice to the shoemaker or glassmaker in
Londinium. Draw and label 5 things that you will use in your work.
© Museum of London 2014 . This sheet is designed to be edited by teachers.
The Museum cannot take responsibility for edited content.
KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
A soldier’s backpack
You are a Roman soldier who has just arrived in Londinium. You have been posted to a
fort on Hadrian’s Wall in the north of the province, which sounds like a cold, wet and
dangerous place. What do you need to take with you in the backpack? You’ll need
equipment and weapons as well as things that you think might make life more comfortable
in the north.
Don’t forget that you have to carry all the things that you decide to take!
Draw a picture of each of the things that you will take with you and write a note explaining
why you have decided to take each one.
I chose this
I chose this
because
because
I chose this
I chose this
because
because
© Museum of London 2014 . This sheet is designed to be edited by teachers.
The Museum cannot take responsibility for edited content.
KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
Mosaics
You have come to Londinium from the provinces and have not seen mosaic floors before.
You want to have one built in your home when you return. Draw some images from the
mosaics that you would like to show to builders when you return home.
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The Museum cannot take responsibility for edited content.
KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
The port of London
Find the model of the Roman port. You will see lots of people working.
What different types of jobs are people doing?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Londinium was an important port. Ships brought food and goods here
from all over the Roman Empire. Look at the big map opposite the port
model and write down the names of 5 places ships might have come from.
1) ____________________________________
2) ____________________________________
3) ____________________________________
4) ____________________________________
5) ____________________________________
Find the display case called: The Balance of Trade.
Write, or draw, 3 things that were brought to London
from other parts of the Roman Empire.
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KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
Rich and poor lifestyles
Find the living room from AD 100. Do you think this room belonged to an
ordinary or wealthy Londoner?
_______________________________________
Find 3 pieces of evidence to support your answer.
1) _____________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________
Now find the living room from AD 300. This living room shows how
some Roman Londoners lived.
Which of these words best describes the room? Circle your answer.
Colourful
Bare
Welcoming
Shabby
Warm
Dull
Find 3 clues that tell you this was the home of a wealthy family.
1) _____________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________
Talk to others in your group about which room you would prefer to live in.
Write a description of your favourite room.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
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The Museum cannot take responsibility for edited content.
KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
Making an offering to the gods
You are a slave to a wealthy household in Londinium. You have been unfairly accused of
stealing some expensive samian pottery from the kitchen. You are going to make an
offering to the gods to ask them for help. Look at the exhibit called ‘Spirituality or
Superstition?’ and choose an object which you will throw into the Walbrook stream later
today.
Draw your object and write down words to describe it and what you will say to the gods.
I chose this…………………………………………………………………………..
because ………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………….....
© Museum of London 2014 . This sheet is designed to be edited by teachers.
The Museum cannot take responsibility for edited content.
KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
Getting clean
You are a fairly wealthy person living in Londinium and keeping clean is very important to
you.
Find the model of the Roman baths and look for:

men building the heating system into the floor

a man plastering the walls

men layering roof tiles.
Now look at the case called ‘In Sickness and in Health’. Find the objects below and draw
them.
Write down what material they are made from and what you would have used them for.
Comb
Strigil
Material:
Material:
Used for:
Used for:
Oil flask
Manicure set
Material:
Material:
Used for:
Used for:
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KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
Roman cooking
Look at the recreated Roman kitchen. Does it look like your kitchen at home?
Look at the food you can see. Write down 4 things which Romans ate which we still eat
today.
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
4. ____________________
The Romans also ate some things which we do not eat today. Find 3 things that they ate
which we no longer eat (use the recipe booklet to help you).
1. ____________________
2. ____________________
3. ____________________
How did the Romans cook food? Draw a picture of their oven below.
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KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
A soldier’s equipment
You have just become a Roman soldier and you have to collect your equipment. What
does a Roman soldier carry with him?
Draw a picture of 4 weapons or pieces of equipment you are given and write a note
explaining what each item is.
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KS2 Romans
Roman London gallery
Now and then
Look for the modern and Roman object comparisons. Draw pictures and make notes on
these comparisons. Can you think of your own modern comparisons to objects on display?
Roman London objects
Modern London objects
Lead curse
In Roman times you might write a curse like
this asking the gods to punish a thief!
Tweets
Today we would be more likely to write a tweet or
nasty Facebook message!
© Museum of London 2014 . This sheet is designed to be edited by teachers.
The Museum cannot take responsibility for edited content.