Rome: Republic to Empire

Answer the following questions in a organized typed manner. The answers should be completed in complete sentences. This assignment is worth 40 points and is due Friday.

Discussion Questions

  1. It was said during the height of the Roman Empire "all roads led to Rome." What does this mean? Discuss how these "roads" are not only geographic, but political and cultural as well.
  2. Modern-day cinema is fascinated with the Roman Empire. Why do you think this era has such a hold on moviemakers? What examples of this phenomenon have you seen? Do these movies portray the Roman Empire accurately?
  3. What is meant by cultural diversity? How was Rome an example of this? How is the United States today an example of cultural diversity?
  4. Discuss the differences between city-states, ancient empires and the modern concept of the nation-state.
  5. Discuss the political and governmental structure of the Roman Empire.
  6. Romans cunningly adopted and cooped their defeated enemies into the empire. How did they do this? What purpose did this serve?
  7. Discuss the role of slaves in the expansion, greatness and grandeur of the Roman Empire.
  8. Discuss the impact of Spartacus' slave revolt. Compare this revolt with some of the slave revolts of the nineteenth century in the American South.
  9. The story of Cleopatra and Egypt is intricately entwined with that of the Roman Empire. Discuss Cleopatra's role in history and Western Civilization.
  10. How and why did Julius Caesar become a dictator?
  11. Why was Cleopatra such a threat to Roman society?
  12. Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?

Extended Activities(Do one of the following)

  1. Create an illustration or storyboard that tells the legend of Romulus and Remis.
  2. On a world map, indicate the areas that comprised the Roman Empire.
  3. Create a poster illustrating the political structure of the Roman Empire.

Discussion Questions

  1. After the death of Julius Caesar, Octavian became the emperor of Rome. How and why did Octavian become the emperor of Rome?
  2. Octavian was called Augustus Caesar. What does Augustus mean? How did Octavian get this new name?
  3. Discuss some of the differences and similarities between Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar.
  4. What does Pax Romana mean? How was Augustus Caesar concerned with this?
  5. Discuss the differences of privilege between male children and female children in the Roman Empire. How did these differences extend to adulthood? Compare your society and gender roles with those of the Roman Empire.
  6. Roman family units were paternal and patriarchal, meaning that the father was the absolute head of the household. Discuss the role and the power of the father in the Roman family.
  7. How and why did Augustus Caesar regulate marriage?
  8. How was marriage a political as well as a social institution in the Roman Empire? How would you define the relationship between marriage and our society today?
  9. Despite the great dangers of having children during the Roman Empire, women were still encouraged to produce large families. What were some of the incentives for women to risk their lives by bearing many children?
  10. Discuss some of the dangers of childbirth during the Roman Empire.
  11. How was exiling women a way to control "unruly" women?

Extended Activities(Do one of the following)

  1. Create a chart that illustrates the different roles in Roman society for men and women.
  2. Create a rendering of the newly completed Coliseum in 80 AD.