This unit covers ancient Rome, including the Roman Republic, the Roman Empire, the rise and spread of Christianity, and the Byzantine Empire.
Ancient Rome unit contains 12 learning experiences.
Learning Experiences (Lessons) in Ancient Rome Each learning experience takes about 45 minutes to teach in the device-enabled classroom.
Ancient Rome: Geography and Environment
Students are introduced to ancient Rome through its physical geography. They learn how geography impacted ancient Rome and its rise to power. Next, they learn about the Etruscans, Carthaginians, and Greek colonists of Italy, and explain how these three cultures influenced Rome’s beginnings. Finally, they read the legend of the founding of Rome by Romulus and Remus. They evaluate which parts of it may be based on reality and which parts are fantasy. Then, they write a brief realistic version of the legend.
The Rise of the Roman Republic
Students explore the fundamentals of the Roman Republic: its government, military might, and slave system. They conclude by preparing a report comparing and contrasting the republican systems in ancient Rome and in the United States.
Life in the Roman Republic
Students investigate the daily lives of ancient Romans in a variety of fields and contexts, including family life and the social class system. Then, they turn to the economy of ancient Rome, encountering its diversity of economic roles and the wide diffusion of Roman culture. Finally, they write a fictional dialogue imagining themselves as Roman youngsters talking to their older siblings.
The End of the Roman Republic
Students learn the factors that contributed to the fall of the Roman Republic. Then they examine the causes and effects of the assassination of Julius Caesar, an event that played a pivotal role in the Republic’s demise. Finally, they write a first-person response from the viewpoint of a Roman who has witnessed the Republic’s fall.
Roman Republic Figures
Students work in small groups to identify and describe five major figures of the Roman Republic: Julius Caesar, Spartacus, Cicero, Cincinnatus, and the Gracchi brothers. Then, they evaluate Julius Caesar’s impact on history and give reasons for their opinions. Finally, they learn about Cincinnatus and make comparisons between him and George Washington.
The Roman Empire: Geography
Students identify cultural groups and historical developments in widespread parts of the Roman Empire. Through online research, they investigate the traits and histories of specific barbarian cultures and explain how those peoples affected history. Then, they state and explain their preferences for Roman city versus provincial life.
The Rise and Expansion of the Roman Empire
Students investigate major causes of the rise and expansion of the Roman Empire including the army, the slave economy, and the road system. They learn about and evaluate several Roman emperors of the era. Finally, they identify and describe the Pax Romana and evaluate it.
The Rise of Christianity: The First Christians
Students learn about the life and death of Jesus and the historical spread of Christianity, including the missionary work of St. Paul. Map study and a timeline ground their learning in chronology and geography as they explain the successful spread of Christianity across the Roman Empire. Finally, they interpret well-known universal sayings of Jesus.
The Fall of the Roman Empire
Students investigate various sources to learn about the fall of Rome. Then, they turn eastward to learn about the Byzantine Empire (formerly the Eastern Roman Empire), which survived for 1,000 years after the western empire. Next, they create an infographic timeline of the fall of Rome. Finally, they read a primary source—the eyewitness testimony of St. Jerome—describing the violence and grief of Rome’s fall.
The Spread of Christianity
Students study the spread of Christianity in both the East and the West. First, they follow its spread through the pagan remnants of the Roman Empire and formerly barbarian lands. Next, they examine the growth and continuation of Christianity in the Eastern Roman—Byzantine—Empire. Then, they explain the reasons for the split between the two major branches of Christianity. Finally, they research and report on the impact of Christianity’s spread.
Roman Contributions to Western Civilization
Students learn about the lasting impact of ancient Rome on Western civilization. First, they watch a rap video to become engaged with the topic. Then, they read sources containing concise descriptions of Roman achievements in many fields. Next, they look for examples of the Roman legacy in the world around them. Finally, they read, write, and talk about similarities and differences between ancient Rome and the United States.
Roman Empire Historical Figures
Students investigate some of the most notable Roman emperors, such as Augustus, Nero, Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius. Then, they explore great Roman individuals in other fields, such as Ptolemy in science, St. Augustine in religion, and Virgil in literature. They wrap up their study of great Romans by reading and responding to quotations from Marcus Aurelius’s classic of practical philosophy, Meditations.
