Roman Time Traveler
Name:
Period:
Date:
The strangest thing happened this holiday. You woke up late, as usual, and dragged
yourself to the kitchen to make some cereal before watching the Sponge Bob Marathon. But
when you got to the kitchen, your cereal wasn’t there. In its place is only a note: “Omnes
viae Romam ducunt.” Since you don’t speak Latin, you use
Google translate and find out it means “All roads lead to Rome.”
Aw man! That dang Time-Travelling-Cereal Bandit struck again!
Now you’re going to have to go back in time to get your cereal,
and it looks like your cereal is in Ancient Rome. And just when the Chocolate
Salesman Episode was coming on!
To find the Cereal Bandit, go back in time by reading sections of the textbook and answering the questions
below.
Start your journey researching the foundations of Rome (162-169) so you understand their culture and
references. Keep a look out for the Cereal Bandit!
1. How did geography protect ancient Romans (use the
map on 162 to infer)?
2. Who were Romulus and Remus?
3. Who were the Etruscans and what did they do?
4. What is a Republic? How did the Patricians and Plebeians fit into the government?
5. Explain the checks and balances system in the Roman Government. Make sure to mention the three
groups.
6. Who was Cincinnatus, and why was he important to Roman culture? How do you think Cincinnatus
affected America’s founding fathers when they were creating the United States?
7. Who were Hannibal and Scipio? What did they fight over, and what was the outcome of their conflict?
Now that you understand Rome’s foundations, you can travel forward in time to when they became an Empire
(pages 171-176). Be careful, Emperors are moody people. You will want to watch what you say!
1. Why did the Roman Republic fall? Mention at least three problems that occurred in the mid-100’s BCE.
2. What is a Triumvirate? Who was in the first one? What happened to Julius Caesar?
3. Who was in the second Triumvirate? What happened to
Antony?
4. Who did Octavian become? How did he change Rome? Make sure to explain the “Age” named after
him.
5. Detail how different emperors after Augustus affected Roman Life.
6. What does “Pax Romana” mean? How did it positively affect government, trade, and transportation?
At the same time as the “Pax Romana,” Christianity was on the rise. Make sure you understand what that has to
do with Rome, by reading 183-187.
1. How did the Romans rule “Judea,” and how did Judaism play a role under Roman law?
2. What reaction did Rome have to Christianity as it spread?
3. Why did Christianity finally take hold in Rome?
4. Describe the structure of the Early Christian Church.
How has the Cereal Bandit escaped you this whole time? There’s only one answer: he has hidden in the era that
Rome weakened and fell. He was untraceable due to the chaos. Read about the Fall of Rome (188-191) and
perhaps you will find him!
1. How did weak leadership affect Roman stability?
2. Who invaded Rome, and why did it eventually fall?
The Cereal Bandit went to Ancient Rome because it was a civilization that had a major effect on world Culture.
Explain below at least two ways Rome affected American politics, and two ways religion changed Rome.
You caught him! Now go back to sleeping, eating, and watching cartoons.