Debating Whether Military Expansion Helped or Hurt Rome
Written Assignments to be handed in:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Individual: Questions on your Roman Historical Figure
Individual: Roman Military and Expansion Figure Graphic Organizer
Individual: Comprehension Questions
Group: Statements to support your historical figures’ perspective on expansion
Group: Questions to ask opposing historical figures
Introduction:
The map below shows the expansion of the Roman Republic in the 1st Century B.C.E.
These territories were acquired during the Punic Wars and the conquest of the East.
These conquests produced political, social, and economic changes in Rome that
benefitted some citizens and hurt others. The goal of this assignment is for you to
determine which one. Follow the directions below to answer the Focus Question: Did
the expansion of the Roman Republic help or hurt Rome?
Step 1: Researching Historical Figure - Choose one of the Roman Historical Figures
below. Read and answer the questions in the Information Handout that applies to your
Historical Figure.
Step 2: Graphic Organizer Notes - Read each of the Information Handouts on the
Roman Historical Figures below and complete the Roman Military Expansion Historical
Figure Graphic Organizer
Historical Figures on Roman Military Expansion:
*Click on visual to access “mask”*
Cicero
Fulvia
Gaius Gracchus
Hortensia
Information on
Marcus Cicero
Information on
Fulvia
Information on
Gaius Gracchus
Information on
Hortensia
Julius Caesar
Sallust
Spartacus
Tiberius Gracchus
Information on
Julius Caesar
Information on
Salustius Crispus
Information on
Spartacus
Information on
Tiberius Gracchus
Step 3: Comprehension Questions - Answer these questions citing information in the
content above.
1. How did expansion of the Roman Republic affect people's lives?
2. Which historical figure(s) believed most strongly that the military expansion of
the Roman Republic helped Rome? Why?
3. Which historical figure(s) believed most strongly that the military expansion of
the Roman Republic hurt Rome? Why?
4. How might the military expansion of the Roman Republic have led to the rise of
Roman dictators?
5. Why is it important to analyze a variety of perspectives when studying an
event like the expansion of the Roman Republic?
Step 4: Classroom Debate (Preparation)– Locate class members whose viewpoint
on expansion is similar to your own. Assemble into groups to prepare arguments
whether military expansion helped or hurt Rome.





Strategize your group’s argument for or against expansion. These MUST be
typed and handed in
 It should include at least 5 facts that your figures based their opinion
on, as well as questions for those figures who oppose your
perspective
 Arguments should focus on major points: Women’s rights, Trade,
Economy, Government, Overpopulation, Military, Security, etc.
Be prepared to answer questions posed to your figures about their
perspectives
Your group must create a POSTER that reflects who your characters are and
how they felt about Roman expansion
 It should include a title for your perspective, a slogan that promotes
it, individual pictures, how they felt about expansion, supporting
details
Each individual should create a mask of their figure to be used in the debate
Organization:
 ARGUMENT: Group ideas for or against expansion
 STATEMENTS: How to address opposition’s questions – think ahead!
 PERSPECTIVE: Figures’ personal idea (opinion) about expansion
Debating Whether Military Expansion Helped or Hurt Rome
Responsibility Checklist
 Learn About your historical figure. Read the information on your
historical figure and answer the “Stop and Discuss Questions”.
 Learn how other Romans felt about expansion. Read the
historical biographies of Romans. Complete the Roman Military
Expansion Historical Figure Graphic Organizer
 Analyze the information from all historical figures. Complete the
Comprehension Questions.
********************************************************
 Organize your supportive statements. (Brainstorm possible
questions from opposition). Identify 8 – 10 important points in
response to the question: Did the military expansion of the Roman Republic
help or hurt Rome? Think of dramatic and convincing ways to represent
your perspective!
 Prepare questions to ask other historical figures. Create probing
questions to expose weaknesses in the arguments of opposing
historical figures in the debate.
 Prepare materials for the debate. To bring your figure to life
during the debates, you should gather or make costumes, props,
masks, nameplates, a poster and an introductory statement