Roman Trade Game + Map Activity | Ancient Rome Economy & Provinces

Bring the economy of the Roman Empire to life with this interactive Roman Trade Game and mapping activity! Students will explore how Rome’s vast empire connected provinces, resources, and trade routes while playing a fun classroom or homeschool game.

Students begin by learning about the expansion of Rome and the provinces that supplied important goods across the empire. They then complete a mapping activity that highlights key Roman territories and the resources each region produced. Finally, students play a Roman Trade Game, where they collect goods from across the empire and race to complete their trade cards.

This activity helps students understand how geography, trade routes, and provincial resources supported the growth of the Roman Empire.

*Already included in the Ancient Civilizations course but can be purchased as an add-on to the Medieval History 7th grade course.*

Perfect for:

• Ancient Rome units
  
• Roman economy and trade lessons
  
• Interactive review activities
  
• Homeschool history lessons
  
• Social studies centers or small group work
  

What’s Included:

✔ Informational reading: The Expansion of Rome
✔ Background readings about 8 Roman provinces and their key resources
✔ Trade Routes of the Roman Empire map activity
✔ Roman Trade Game instructions
✔ Printable Trade Cards for 2–6 players
✔ Hands-on strategy game reinforcing Roman trade networks

Students learn about provinces including:

• Gaul – Gold
  
• Hispania – Silver
  
• Britannia – Wool
  
• Italy – Olive Oil
  
• Greece – Wine
  
• Asia Minor – Spices
  
• Egypt – Grain
  
• North Africa – Pottery
  

The game takes 15–20 minutes and works well with 2–6 players, making it perfect for both classrooms and homeschool groups.

Skills Students Practice

• Understanding ancient trade networks
• Identifying Roman provinces and geography
• Analyzing how geography affects economic systems
• Map skills and spatial reasoning
• Strategy and critical thinking

Best for Grades 5–8

Standards Alignment California History–Social Science Standards

Grade 6 – Ancient Civilizations

• HSS 6.7.1 – Study the geographic boundaries of the Roman Empire and how geography influenced its development.
  
• HSS 6.7.8 – Discuss the economic system of Rome, including trade and provincial resources.
  
• HSS 6.7.9 – Understand the expansion of the Roman Republic and Empire and its influence across regions.
  

C3 Framework for Social Studies

• D2.Geo.4.6-8 – Explain how cultural and environmental characteristics influence trade and human settlement patterns.
  
• D2.Eco.1.6-8 – Explain how economic decisions affect individuals, groups, and societies.
  
• D2.His.2.6-8 – Classify historical events and developments using evidence about change over time.

*This is an individual activity from the Ancient Civilizations full-year course. It is already included in the Ancient Civilizations course and does not need to be purchased separately. However, it is not included in the Medieval History course.