"To Rule Mankind and Make the World Obey"
Standards and Essential Questions
7.1 Students analyze the causes and effects of the vast expansion and ultimate disintegration of the Roman Empire. 1) Study the early strengths and lasting contributions of Rome (e.g., significance of Roman citizenship; rights under Roman law; Roman art, architecture, engineering, and philosophy; preservation and transmission of Christianity) and its ultimate internal weaknesses (e.g., rise of autonomous military powers within the empire, undermining of citizenship by the growth of corruption and slavery, lack of education, and distribution of news). 2) Discuss the geographic borders of the empire at its height and the factors that threatened its territorial cohesion. 3) Describe the establishment by Constantine of the new capital in Constantinople and the development of the Byzantine Empire, with an emphasis on the consequences of the development of two distinct European civilizations, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic, and their two distinct views on church-state relations. |
Geography of Italy and the Mediterranean
LG: Examine the relationship between geography and culture for Romans living on the Italian Peninsula. EQ: How did geography affect culture in the world the Romans lived in? In this lesson students examine the impact geography had on the development of Roman history and culture. We will defend the statement, "Rome was in a good place, and Rome was a good place." We will also look at the influence of the Greeks and Etruscans on the Romans. Finally, we will examine the values of the early Romans. Check out the presentations used in class to revise or add to your Cornell Notes. |
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The Roman Story: Turning Points in Roman History
LG: Study the changes and contributions of Rome through 4 key stories. EQ: How can historians use stories to connect with their audience and communicate the story of the past. Even though I have shortened this lesson dramatically, I cannot help telling some of the great Roman stories the textbook doesn't include. How can I not discuss Aeneas fleeing from the burning city of Troy, Romulus' decision to kill his own brother, Cato's plea that "Carthage must be destroyed!" during the Punic Wars, the changes brought about in Roman politics by Julius and Octavian, and the story of Christianity?
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Roman Story Handouts
Sample Notes Presentation Murder of Julius Caesar Julius' Men Build Bridge Julius Caesar Videos HCSI Julius Caesar |
Traders and Invaders in the Roman Empire
LG: Discuss the geographic borders of the Roman Empire at its height and the factors that threatened its territorial cohesion. EQ: Why conquer? How connect? and What challenges? In this history lab, students recreate the shape of the Roman empire and provincials trade resources to Romans for military protection. Barbarians invade and try to conquer the Roman empire. Will the Romans risk their neck to save the provinces, or rest secured in Rome while all heck breaks loose?
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Sample Notes
Presentation Cambridge Source Information |
Help or Hurt?
LG: Make and support a historical claim about the efficacy of military expansion on Roman society. EQ: Did military expansion mostly help or hurt Rome? Students will participate in a Socratic Seminar in which they discuss the answer to this question from the perspective of an influential Roman character from history. Then they write an 11-sentence commentary where they make and support a historical claim in response to the aforementioned question. |
Sample Notes
Presentation |
CSI: Western Roman Empire
LG: Examine the internal and external reasons for the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476AD. Use Marking the Text and Writing in the Margins to interact with an expository text. EQ: What internal and external factors led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire? Which had the biggest impact? What factors led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 467 A.D.? In this lesson, you will explore some of the reasons given by historians and primary sources as to why the Roman Empire was defeated. |
Sample Notes
Presentation Station Information Marking the Text Strategy Description Writing in the Margins Strategy Description |
Roman Contributions
LG: Discuss the lasting contributions of Rome. EQ: What contributions did Romans make to later societies? The glory of Rome is not forgotten. We can see the fingerprints of the Roman Empire everywhere in American society. The Romans made huge contributions to the areas of politics, citizenship, architecture, language, engineering, philosophy, the arts, etc. In this lesson students will create a mosaic to commemorate the achievements of the Roman Empire with special emphasis placed on how it is evidenced in American society. |
Constantinople
LG: Discuss the lasting contributions of Rome. EQ: What contributions did Romans make to later societies? |
Fun and Fascination of Roman Society
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