ACADEMIC LISTENING TEST PRACTICE
ANCIENT ROME
ANCIENT ROME
For Students Preparing for Academic Tests / IELTS and TOEFL
Listen as you read the script.
Playing Time: 3 minutes 19 seconds
Ancient Rome was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in the world. The Roman Republic was established in 509 BC, after the Romans overthrew their Etruscan conquerors. The Republic was a complex system of government, with two consuls who held executive power, as well as an assembly of citizens who held legislative power. The Republic was notable for its military conquests and its system of law, which served as a model for many other societies.
The Roman Republic was eventually replaced by the Roman Empire in 27 BC, when the Roman general Octavian, also known as Augustus, became the first Roman emperor. Augustus established a strong central government and expanded the empire through military conquests, making it the dominant power in the Mediterranean world. He also initiated many social, economic, and administrative reforms which proved to be the foundation of the empire's stability and prosperity for centuries.
From the time of Augustus, all the Roman emperors were autocratic; they had absolute power over the government and the military. However, the emperors were supported by a complex bureaucracy. The empire was divided into provinces, each with a governor appointed by the emperor. The Roman legal system was also influential, and it served as a model for many other civilizations.
For much of its history, the empire was a polytheistic society and the state religion was based on the worship of the gods and goddesses of Rome. The empire also tolerated other religions and cults. This changed in the fourth century when Christianity became the dominant religion.
Rome was an economic powerhouse, with a complex system of trade and commerce. Its roads facilitated trade and communication and its merchants traded with many other civilizations, including the Chinese, Indian, and Parthian Empires. The empire also had a strong agricultural sector, which was the backbone of its economy.
The empire was famous for its great cultural achievements and contributions which are evident in its architecture, such as the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon, all of which remain as marvels of engineering and design. Roman literature was also renowned and influential. The empire's poets, such as Virgil and Ovid, and its historians, such as Tacitus, wrote works that have stood the test of time. Much of Roman art and sculpture was also influential and has become iconic.
All this began to change, however, in the 3rd century AD as political instability, economic difficulties, and invasions by barbarian tribes began the empire's decline. The empire was eventually split into two halves, the Western Roman Empire (which fell in 476 AD) and the Eastern Roman Empire (which survived until 1453 AD).
The Roman Republic was eventually replaced by the Roman Empire in 27 BC, when the Roman general Octavian, also known as Augustus, became the first Roman emperor. Augustus established a strong central government and expanded the empire through military conquests, making it the dominant power in the Mediterranean world. He also initiated many social, economic, and administrative reforms which proved to be the foundation of the empire's stability and prosperity for centuries.
From the time of Augustus, all the Roman emperors were autocratic; they had absolute power over the government and the military. However, the emperors were supported by a complex bureaucracy. The empire was divided into provinces, each with a governor appointed by the emperor. The Roman legal system was also influential, and it served as a model for many other civilizations.
For much of its history, the empire was a polytheistic society and the state religion was based on the worship of the gods and goddesses of Rome. The empire also tolerated other religions and cults. This changed in the fourth century when Christianity became the dominant religion.
Rome was an economic powerhouse, with a complex system of trade and commerce. Its roads facilitated trade and communication and its merchants traded with many other civilizations, including the Chinese, Indian, and Parthian Empires. The empire also had a strong agricultural sector, which was the backbone of its economy.
The empire was famous for its great cultural achievements and contributions which are evident in its architecture, such as the Colosseum, the Forum and the Pantheon, all of which remain as marvels of engineering and design. Roman literature was also renowned and influential. The empire's poets, such as Virgil and Ovid, and its historians, such as Tacitus, wrote works that have stood the test of time. Much of Roman art and sculpture was also influential and has become iconic.
All this began to change, however, in the 3rd century AD as political instability, economic difficulties, and invasions by barbarian tribes began the empire's decline. The empire was eventually split into two halves, the Western Roman Empire (which fell in 476 AD) and the Eastern Roman Empire (which survived until 1453 AD).
the colosseum in the city of Rome
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