Roman Trial Project
The Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) is putting the Roman Empire (Western
Roman Empire) on trial for failing to uphold their end of the bargain and keep Rome secure.
The charges brought against the Roman Empire are as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Charges
Decline in Morals and Social Equality
Misuse of slave Labor
Failure to control outlying regions and defend
borders
Creating Welfare State and failure to maintain
Economy
1.
2.
3.
4.
Defense
Legacy of Republican Government
Necessity of Slave Labor
Past Roman Emperors who defended empire
well, and size of frontier
Unemployment of Working class and Size of
empire.
Students will split into two different teams. One side will argue for the prosecution (Byzantines) and
the other will argue for the defense (Romans). Each team will be divided into subgroups containing
researchers and an orator. The subgroups will break up the topics and research them together. After research
has been completed each subgroup should come up with an argument using AT LEAST four historical facts to
support it. Each group member will then be responsible for composing one large summation of their team’s
points.
Grading:
You will receive three daily grades and one project grade (test grade) for this assignment. Your grade will be
taken from the following three criteria: Subgroup Research template, Participation in Trial, and a Summative
Paper. You will be given a daily grade for each category, and your final project grade will be an average of the
three categories.
1. Subgroup Research:
a. Must have a thesis that presents a clear argument.
b. Must have at least 4 historical facts
c. Must anticipate opponent’s thesis
d. Must anticipate four facts that opponent may use.
2. Participation in Trial: (see rubric below)
3. Summative Paper: a one page, hand written paper that clearly summarizes the main points of your
team’s argument.
Students who are absent on the day of research will become a jury member. They will be required to read a summary
document to familiarize themselves with the topic, on the day of the trials they will write a one page paper arguing for which
side won, and why. This paper must include at least four historic facts pulled from the arguments to support their opinion.
Instructions
1. Divide into two teams, Western Roman Empire or Byzantine Empire.
a. Each team will prepare opening and closing statements
b. Each team will also need to select an Orator to deliver the opening/closing statements
2. Each team will divide into subgroups, with one person from each subgroup designated as the
orator.
3. Each Subgroup will have topics or charges that they are required to become experts on and
prepare an argument for.
a. The subgroups argument should include at least four historical facts to defend their
arguments.
b. The subgroup must anticipate an argument that their opponent will use, supported by four
historic facts.
4. If a student is absent on the day teams are assigned, they will become a member of the jury. They
will be required to read a summary document to familiarize themselves with the topic, on the day
of the trials they will write a one page paper arguing for which side won, and why. This paper must
include at least four historic facts pulled from the arguments to support their opinion.
5. On the day of the trial, students will present their argument in a debate style.
a. The trial will begin with opening statements from each side (2 min each).
b. The prosecution will then open with their first charge and the defense will counter with
their first defense (3 min each).
c. After the charges, each team will be given a 2 minute rebuttal.
d. Repeat B and C until all charges have been argued.
e. The trial will conclude with closing statements first from the prosecution, then the defense
(2 min each).
Charges:
Members:
Criteria
1
Organization
34 Points
33 Points
Delivery
33 Points
3
4
Student presents
Audience cannot
Audience has
Student presents
information in
understand
difficulty following
information in
logical, interesting
presentation because
presentation
logical sequence
sequence which
there is no sequence of because student
which audience
audience can
information.
jumps around.
can follow.
follow.
4 Points
Content
Knowledge
2
Points
14 Points
24 Points
Students are
Students do not have
uncomfortable with Students are at
grasp of information;
information and are ease with content,
student cannot answer
able to answer only
but fail to
questions about
rudimentary
elaborate.
subject
questions.
23 Points
3 Points.
13 Points
Students mumble, Students incorrectly
incorrectly pronounces pronounces terms. Student's voice is
terms, and speaks too Audience members clear. Student
quietly for students in
have difficulty
pronounces most
the back of class to
hearing
words correctly.
hear.
presentation.
23 Points
3 Points
13 Points
34 Points
Students
demonstrate full
knowledge (more
than required)
with explanations
and elaboration.
____
33 Points
Student used a
clear voice and
correct, precise
pronunciation of
terms.
____
33 Points
Total---->
Comments:
____
____