Lesson
37
The Legacy of Rome
in the Modern World
Overview
In this lesson, students learn the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire
and how ancient Roman culture continues to affect modern life today.
Students participate in a Response Group activity in which they read and
play a game to discover more about an aspect of Roman culture, such as
art, architecture and engineering, or language, that influences us today.
Objectives
Students will
• describe the internal weaknesses of the Roman Empire and identify
reasons for the fall of the empire in the West.
• describe the rise of the Byzantine Empire, including the establishment
of a new capital in the East by Constantine.
• describe common Roman art forms and identify items from modern
life that utilize similar designs and techniques.
• explain how Roman engineering achievements in science, technology,
architecture, and engineering have been incorporated into modern life.
• describe the influence of Latin on modern languages and identify
examples of English words derived from Latin terms.
• identify the relationship between Roman law and philosophy and
modern thought.
Materials
•
•
•
•
History Alive! The Ancient World
Interactive Student Notebooks
Information Master 37 (1 transparency)
dictionaries or similar reference books with definitions and
etymologies of English words (at least 1 per every 3 students)
• a collection of various magazines, such as news, home, and
general-interest magazines
• sticky notes
748 Lesson 37
Lesson
37
Preview
Have students complete Preview 37 in their Interactive Student
Notebooks, and then ask three or four of them to share their answers.
Expect that many students will either refute the proposition or will be
unable to support their opinions with appropriate details. Tell students
that in this chapter they will discover specific examples of how Roman
culture continues to affect their lives today.
Graphic Organizer
1 Introduce Chapter 37 in History Alive! The Ancient World.
Tell students that in this chapter they will learn how ancient Roman culture affects modern life. Have them read Section 37.1. Make sure they
understand the meanings of the boldfaced key terms, which are defined in
the Glossary. (Note: You may want to have students use the Prereading
Handout in Lesson Guide 1 to conduct a prereading of the chapter.)
2 Introduce the graphic organizer. Have students examine the graphic
organizer on page 361. Ask, What do you see? What culture might the
building on the left represent? The building on the right? What connects
the two buildings? How does the appearance of the road change? What
are some of the similarities between the buildings? Why do you think the
two buildings are connected by the road in this way? Explain that the
graphic organizer is an example of metaphorical thinking. It is intended
to show how aspects of Roman culture have “traveled” to modern times
to influence aspects of our daily life, such as architecture.
Reading for Understanding
Have students read Section 37.2, which provides background
information on the internal weaknesses that led to the fall of the Roman
Empire. Discuss any questions they have.
Response Group
1 Arrange students in mixed-ability groups of three. You
may want to prepare a transparency that shows students with whom they
will work and where they will sit.
2 Introduce the activity. Explain to students that they will read about a
specific aspect of Roman culture, such as art, engineering, or language.
Then, in their groups, they will play the game Rome to Home, in which
they will use magazines to identify specific examples of Roman culture
influencing modern life. In the game, they will compare their examples to
those identified by other groups to earn points.
The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World 749
Lesson
37
3 Provide groups with magazines, dictionaries, and sticky notes.
Make sure each group has at least three different types of magazines. This
will allow them to broaden their search for specific examples of Roman
cultural aspects in modern life. Each group will need at least one resource
book with etymologies of English words.
4 Project Information Master 37: The Rome to Home Game and
review the game rules. Cover the transparency so that only the “Rules of
the Game” section is visible to students. As you review the rules, point
out that this game is similar to Scattergories, in which the winning group
creates the most unique list of items.
5 Have students read Sections 37.3 through 37.6 and play Rome
to Home. As they play the game, reveal only the relevant part of
Information Master 37. Here are some suggestions to help make each
round of the game unfold smoothly:
• Step 1: You may want to have volunteers read each of Sections 37.3
through 37.6 aloud while the rest of the class follows along. Make sure
groups do not advance to Steps 2 and 3 in each round until all groups
have completed their Reading Notes.
• Step 2: If necessary, adjust the time limit to create a sense of urgency
or to allow groups more time to find examples of Roman influences.
(Note: Before Round 3, you may want to show students how to verify
the etymology of a word in a dictionary.)
• Step 3: You may want to impose a time limit if you feel groups are
taking too long to compile their final lists.
• Step 4: Appoint a different Presenter for each round of the game.
After each Presenter shares, ask if another group has identified the
same example. If so, then have all Presenters cross that example off
their lists. Continue the process until all Presenters have shared their
examples.
• Step 5: Record the points for each group on the board.
Processing
Have students complete Processing 37 in their Interactive
Student Notebooks.
750 Lesson 37
Lesson
37
Assessment
Masters for assessment appear on the next three pages.
1. B
2. B
5. A
6. A
7 a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
3. A
4. A
with
Possible answers: semicircle, semi-automatic
hand
post
Possible answers: civics, civilization
8. The bulleted points can provide a rubric for this item.
Online Resources
Further resources for Lesson 37: The Legacy of Rome in the
Modern World can be found at Online Resources for History Alive! The
Ancient World at www.teachtci.com/historyalive/.
• Investigating Literature: Roman Contributions to Literature
• Internet Connections: Ancient Rome
• Internet Project: Ancient Rome
Options for Students with Diverse Needs
•
•
•
•
See page 800 for tips on adapting this lesson to meet the needs of
English language learners.
learners reading and writing below grade level.
learners with special education needs.
advanced learners.
The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World 751
Assessment
37
Fill in the bubble beside the best answer to each question.
1. Read this list:
• People paid high taxes.
• Many people were poor.
• Trade declined.
The items on the list are examples of what type
of problems that led to the end of the Roman
Empire?
0 A. political
0 B. economic
0 C. military
0 D. cultural
4. What is the most likely reason Americans made
this statue of George Washington in the Roman
style?
0 A. to give Washington nobility
0 B. to give Washington godlike status
0 C. to identify Washington as an emperor
0 D. to identify Washington as a general
2. By looking at Latin roots, it is often possible to
figure out what English words mean. Look at
the chart below. What is another word that uses
the Latin prefix meaning “eight”?
0 A. sextet
0 B. octagon
0 C. novice
0 D. decimal
English Word
Latin Meaning
September
seventh month
October
eighth month
November
ninth month
December
tenth month
3. Who might have spoken these words?
“I believe we all have a spark of godly
intelligence, that we must live in agreement
with nature, and that we must develop good
character.”
0 A. a stoic
0 B. an ecologist
0 C. a scientist
0 D. a priest
752 Lesson 37
5. The basis of the ideal of natural law is that
0 A. we all have rights.
0 B. we must not break the law.
0 C. we all have power.
0 D. we must not fight with others.
6. The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in
the United States in 1869. Trans is a Latin prefix
meaning
0 A. across
0 B. under
0 C. before
0 D. together
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Assessment
37
Use your knowledge of social studies to complete the item below.
7. Latin is the basis of many English words. Complete the empty spaces
in the table.
Latin Prefix or Root
Meaning
English Word
co
a. _________________
cooperate
semi
half
b. _________________
manus
c. _________________
manual
d. _________________
after
postpone
civis
citizen, community
e. _________________
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World 753
Assessment
37
Follow the directions to complete the item below.
8. Roman society continues to influence our lives today. In the space
below, design a monument to commemorate the following four
Roman influences on American life:
• art
• architecture and engineering
• philosophy and law
• language
754 Lesson 37
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Information Master
The Rome to Home Game
37
Rules of the Game
• Each group must use magazines or dictionaries to identify specific
examples of Roman culture that influence modern life. They must then
list the five most unique examples they identify on a sheet of scrap
paper.
• Each group scores 1 point for every example that only they identify.
• The winning group is the one with the most points after Round 4.
Round 1: Identifying Examples of Roman Art in Modern Life
Step 1: Read Section 37.3, and complete the corresponding part of
Reading Notes 37.
Step 2: In three minutes, identify in your magazines examples of Roman
art—such as cameos and mosaics—that influence modern life. Stick notes
to the pages where you find examples.
Step 3: List the five most unique examples you identified. You will score
1 point for every example that only your group identifies.
Step 4: Presenters from each group will share their answers. After each
Presenter shares, those groups that identified the same example must
cross it off their lists.
Step 5: Count the examples you have not crossed off your list. Make sure
you are awarded the appropriate number of points.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World 755
Information Master
37
The Rome to Home Game
Round 2: Identifying Examples of Roman Architecture and
Engineering in Modern Life
Step 1: Read Section 37.4, and complete the corresponding part of
Reading Notes 37.
Step 2: In three minutes, identify in your magazines examples of Roman
architecture and engineering—such as domes and stadiums—influencing
modern life. Stick notes to the pages where you find examples.
Step 3: List the five most unique examples you identified. Remember that
you will score 1 point for every example that only your group identifies.
Step 4: Presenters from each group will share their answers. After each
Presenter shares, those groups that identified the same example must
cross it off their lists.
Step 5: Count the examples you have not crossed off your list. Make sure
you are awarded the appropriate number of points.
Round 3: Identifying Examples of Roman Language
in Modern Life
Step 1: Read Section 37.5, and complete the corresponding part of
Reading Notes 37.
Step 2: Select a single page—one with lots of text—from one of your
magazines. List all the English words on that page that are derived from
Latin terms. Use a dictionary to verify that the words you identify are
derived from Latin.
Step 3: List the five most unique words you identified. Remember that
you will score 1 point for every word that only your group identifies.
Step 4: Presenters from each group will share their answers. After each
Presenter shares, those groups that identified the same word must cross it
off their lists.
Step 5: Count the words you have not crossed off your list. Make sure
you are awarded the appropriate number of points.
756 Lesson 37
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Information Master
The Rome to Home Game
37
Round 4: Identifying Examples of Roman Philosophy and Law
in Modern Life
Step 1: Read Section 37.6, and complete the corresponding part of
Reading Notes 37.
Step 2: In three minutes, identify in your magazines examples of Roman
philosophy and law—with its emphasis on good character and justice—
influencing modern life. Stick notes to the pages where you find examples.
Step 3: List the five most unique examples you identified. Remember that
you will score 1 point for every example that only your group identifies.
Step 4: Presenters from each group will share their answers. After each
Presenter shares, those groups that identified the same example must
cross it off of their lists.
Step 5: Count the examples you have not crossed off your list. Make sure
you are awarded the appropriate number of points.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World 757
G U I D E TO R E A D IN G NOT ES 3 7
After reading each of Sections 37.3–37.6 in History Alive! The Ancient
World, answer the corresponding questions.
37.3 Art
What important art forms did the ancient Romans develop?
Romans created realistic statues and colorful mosaics. They
also painted frescoes that often showed three-dimensional
landscapes. Romans made decorative bottles of blown glass,
developed the arts of gem cutting and metalwork, and created cameos.
What are some examples of Roman art forms that influence
modern life?
Some examples of Roman art forms that influence modern
life are murals on restaurants, banks, and other buildings,
lifelike statues, cut gems, and cameos.
37.4 Architecture and Engineering
What were some important architectural and engineering
achievements of the ancient Romans?
Romans used the arch, the vault, and the dome to create
huge structures. They used cement to build the largest
arches that had ever been made at that time. The Romans
developed the stadium and the triumphal arch. They were
also great road, bridge, and aqueduct builders.
What are some examples of Roman architecture and
engineering that influence modern life?
Many modern churches, banks, and government buildings
follow Roman designs. Many communities have stadiums that
are built like the Roman Colosseum. Some modern freeways
are built over Roman roads and parts of aqueducts are still
used today.
758 Lesson 37
G U I D E TO RE ADING N OTE S 37
37.5 Language
How was the Latin alphabet of Rome different from the
English alphabet?
The Latin alphabet had 23 letters while the English alphabet
has 26 letters.
What Roman numerals are used for the numbers 1 through
10? How were the numbers 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 written by
the Romans?
The Roman numerals I, V, and X are used to write the numbers 1 through 10. The number 50 is written as L, 100 as C,
500 as D, and 1,000 as M.
What are some examples of Roman language that influence
modern life?
Some examples of Roman language that influence modern
life are the use of Latin proverbs, Latin roots such as civis,
and Latin prefixes.
37.6 Philosophy and Law
What were the most important ideas in Roman philosophy
and law?
The most important ideas in Roman philosophy were (1) live in
a way that agrees with nature and (2) the one truly good
thing in life is to have good character. The most important
idea in Roman law was that natural law says that everyone
has certain rights.
What are some examples of ways Roman philosophy and law
have affected modern life?
Roman philosophy and law affect modern life in several ways.
Today we call someone who bears pain and suffering bravely
stoic. Some modern law codes in Europe are based on Roman
laws. And many people today believe that all humans have
basic rights that are guaranteed by natural law.
The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World
759
Timeline Challenge
6
Ancient Rome Timeline Challenge
Overview
This activity challenges students to analyze a historical timeline. Working in pairs, students
respond to a series of questions that lead them to complete and analyze a timeline of key
dates from the unit they just studied.
Objectives
Students will
• complete a historical timeline to show how major events are related to one another in time.
• identify and add key events, people, and periods from the unit to their timelines.
• answer timeline challenge questions by analyzing their completed timelines.
Materials
• History Alive! The Ancient World
• Interactive Student Notebooks
• Timeline Challenge Transparency 6
Timeline Challenge
1 Place students in mixed-ability pairs. You may want to prepare a transparency to show students where they will sit and with whom they will work.
2 Have students open their Interactive Student Notebooks to Timeline Challenge 6.
Review the directions with them, and answer any questions. Complete Item A as a class to
make sure students understand the directions. Circulate as pairs complete their timelines.
(Note: Students should not refer to their textbooks as they work on their timelines.)
3 Have students correct their timelines. Have students open to the Ancient Rome
Timeline on pages 372 and 373 of History Alive! The Ancient World. Review the items
one at a time, and have students check their timelines against the one in the book.
4 Have students add one or two more key items from the unit to their timelines. Allow
students to look through the chapters in this unit and find one or two more key items to add
to the timelines. For each item, students must include the following:
• the date(s) and a short written description of the item
• a simple visual symbol for the item, drawn inside the appropriate geometric shape
• a dot or color bar on the timeline to represent the appropriate date or dates
• a line connecting the dot or bar to the geometric shape
5 Reveal the first question on Timeline Challenge Transparency 6: Ancient Rome
Timeline Challenge Questions. Allow pairs to analyze their timelines and discuss the questions. Select a Presenter for each pair, and have several Presenters share their answers with
the class. Repeat the process for each challenge question, rotating the role of Presenter.
760 Timeline Challenge 6
Timeline Challenge
6
Guide to Timeline Challenge Questions
The timeline challenge questions appear on Timeline Challenge Transparency 6.
1. Which items on this timeline occurred before the Common Era (B.C.E.)? Which one
occurred during the Common Era (C.E.)? Did any events occur in both time periods?
If so, which?
Items A, B, and D happened before the Common Era; Item C occurred during the
Common Era; and Items E and F occurred during both time periods.
2. According to the timeline, how long did Jesus live?
According to the timeline, Jesus lived for 33 years.
3. The dates for Item F correspond to both the creation of the Roman Republic and the fall
of the Roman Empire. Why do you think this is so?
During the years of the Roman Republic and Empire, the Romans built roads to connect
the regions of their territory. When the empire collapsed, the building stopped.
4. Which events on this timeline are similar to events on any of the previous timelines?
Explain how the events you selected are similar. What are any important differences?
Answers will vary.
5. Which event on this timeline do you think is the most significant? Explain your answer.
Answers will vary.
Ancient Rome Timeline Challenge 761