Ancient Rome
The Ancient World
By Megan Foster
The purpose of this unit plan is to introduce students to the civilization of ancient Rome. This will include the how the
development of Rome was influenced by its neighbors, how and why a republic was formed in Rome, as well as the expansion
of Rome from a city to a vast empire. Students will be introduced to the content through a variety of writing activities. They
will be asked to think critically, analyze primary sources and drawn conclusions based on evidence. At the conclusion of the
unit, students will take part in a Model UN style debate as stakeholders from Rome and Carthage, with the purpose of
negotiating a new treaty.
It is assumed that heading into this unit, students will be knowledgeable about the development of civilizations and how
accomplishments or events of civilizations affect future events and history. This unit is designed to provide students with the
framework for understanding the most essential aspects of ancient Rome.
Stage 1 Desired Results
ESTABLISHED GOALS
Transfer
Students will be able to independently use their learning to…
History Frameworks:
G
7.35 On a historical map, identify ancient
Rome and trace the extent of the Roman
Empire to 500 AD/CE. (H, G)
7.36 Explain how the geographical location of
ancient Rome contributed to the shaping of
Roman society and the expansion of its
political power in the Mediterranean region
and beyond.
(H, G, E)
7.37 Explain the rise of the Roman Republic
and the role of mythical and historical figures
in Roman history. (H)
A. Romulus and Remus
B. Hannibal and the Carthaginian Wars
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Analyze and resolve conflicts in order to work and live cooperatively with others.

Apply knowledge of political and social systems to participate actively as an informed
citizen of a democracy.

Critically appraise historical and contemporary claims/decisions.

Understand how recurring patterns in history can inform judgments about current
events and other issues.
T
UNDERSTANDINGS
Students will understand that…
Meaning
U ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
U1… there is often a difference between the
mythical story of a civilization’s founding and
the historical version.
Q
E1. Which group had the greatest influence on
the development of Rome- the Latins,
Etruscans or Greeks?
U2… a civilization’s culture and development
is often influenced by its neighbors.
C. Cicero
D. Julius Caesar and Augustus
E. Hadrian
7.38 Describe the government of the Roman
Republic and its contribution to the
development of democratic principles,
U3… republics are made of elected
representatives that make decisions for
citizens.
E2. How did the Roman Republic influence the
development of US government?
U4… when citizens are not equal, they will
protest in order to gain civil rights.
U5… when civilizations grow there are
benefits and costs to expansion.
E3. Do the benefits of expansion outweigh the
costs?
including separation of powers, rule of law,
representative government, and the notion of
civic duty. (H, C)
7.39 Describe the influence of Julius Caesar
and Augustus in Rome’s transition from a
republic to an empire and explain the reasons
for the growth and long life of the Roman
Empire. (H, E)
A. Military organization, tactics, and
conquests; and decentralized
administration
B. the purpose and functions of taxes
C. the promotion of economic growth
through the use of a standard currency,
road construction, and the protection of
trade routes
D. the benefits of a Pax Romana
7.40 Describe the characteristics of slavery
under the Romans. (H)
ELA & Literacy Frameworks:
R. 1. Cite specific textual evidence to support
analysis of primary and secondary sources.
R. 7. Integrate visual information with other
Students will know…
Acquisition
K Students will be skilled at…
K1… Rome, Etruscans, Latins, Palatine,
gladiator, cuniculus, republic, Patricians,
Plebeians, Senate, Consul, tribune, veto, Punic
Wars, Carthage, civil war, Pax Romana
K2... The location of Rome, the Tiber River, the
Palatine, and the Alps on the Italian peninsula.
K3… According to Roman myth, twin brothers
Romulus and Remus established and fought
over the city of Rome. However, according to
historical evidence, the Latins originally
founded Rome, but they were influenced by
their Etruscan and Greek neighbors.
K4… The Roman Republic was set up by the
wealthy Roman patricians. They created a 300
man Senate to make laws and two consuls to
control the army. Only patricians could take
part in the government until the common
plebeians protested to gain rights in the
government. The Twelve Tables, tribunes,
Councils of Plebs and assemblies were added
to make the Republic fairer to all.
S
S1. Critical Thinking Skill: analyze a map in
order to draw conclusions about the
relationship between physical features,
development of civilization and the movement
of people.
S2. Primary Source Analysis: analyze excerpt
of Roman law, the Twelve Tables, to make
inferences about their life and culture.
S3. Compare & Contrast: read a chart
comparing the Roman Republic the US
government’s republic to find the similarities
and differences, and then decide which
government is more democratic.
S4. Cause & Effect: determine the causes for
Roman expansion, and the effects on the
Roman Republic and the creation of an
empire; rank these causes as benefits or costs
of expansion.
S5. Persuasive Writing: write an editorial to
the fictional “Roman Times” arguing for or
K5…. Rome expanded into an empire over four against continued expansion of the Roman
Empire, citing the past or future
periods. Series of wars and uprisings led to
benefits/costs.
more land and resources for Rome. Under
leaders like Julius Caesar and Augustus,
S6. Vocabulary: use content based
reforms were also introduced eventually
leading to Pax Romana.
vocabulary in order to communicate
information in print and digital texts.
understanding of key concepts.
W. 1. Write arguments focused on disciplinespecific content.
Stage 2 - Evidence
Evaluative Criteria
- Historically Accurate
-Well Crafted
-Revealing and informative
-Good Detail
-Mechanically sound
Assessment Evidence
CURRICULUM EMBEDED PERFOMANCE ASSESSMENT (PERFORMANCE TASKS)
You are a member of the Roman-Carthaginian negotiation team. Your goal is to prevent the
Third Punic War by altering or rewriting the peace treaty that was reached between these two
cities after the second Punic War. You will be given the position of a stakeholder from either
Rome or Carthage and be responsible for upholding that view point in debate. You will utilize
class notes and other tools and research to better understand the first two Punic Wars and the
circumstances leading to a possible third. Using parliamentary procedure and other Model UN
frames of references, a debate will occur in order to hash out the terms of a treaty. Groups of
like stakeholders will write resolution style treaties to be voted on by all parties.
OTHER EVIDENCE:
- Historically Accurate
-Well Crafted
-Revealing and informative
-Good Detail
-Mechanically sound
PT
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Geography Critical Thinking Questions & Answers
Twelve Table APARTS Analysis
Compare & Contrast Roman Republic and US government and response
Editorial in the “Roman Times” persuasively arguing the benefits of continued
expansion or the reasons to end war.
Chapter Quizzes/ Tests
Other assigned classwork or homework
OE
Stage 3 – Learning Plan
Summary of Key Learning Events and Instruction
Lesson 1: Introduction and Preview to ancient Rome- In this lesson, students will preview the geography of the city of Rome and the
Roman Empire. Major themes of the unit will also be introduced.
 Map: History Alive! Geography Challenge: Interactive Notebook pg 218-219
 Vocabulary Preview: Rome Wordle
Lesson 2: Geography and Development of Rome- In this lesson, students will look at the myth of Rome’s beginnings in compared to
historical evidence of its development.
 Compare & Contrast: Romulus and Remus Myth vs. History of the Latins, Etruscans & Greeks
 Content/ Response Notes: Relationship between Etruscans and Greeks and Roman development
 Critical Thinking: Respond to questions regarding Rome’s geography and development
Lesson 3: Rise of the Roman Republic- In this lesson, students will identify the events that led to the formation of the Roman
Republic and how the government changed over time to become fairer to all citizens.
 Content/ Response Notes: Roles & responsibilities for each part of the Roman Republic; Conflict of the Orders; Changes to
the Republic.
Lesson 4: Roman Laws- In this lesson, students will analyze examples from Rome’s Twelve Tables to then use when comparing and
contrasting the Roman Republic and the US government.
 Primary Source: Analysis of the Twelve Tables
 Compare & Contrast: Roman Republic vs. US Government
Lesson 5: Expansion of the Roman Empire- In this lesson, students will identify the causes for the expansion of Rome, and the
effects on the Republic, society and culture.
 Cause & Effect: For each period of expansion identify: major events/ people, land acquired, benefits and losses to Rome
 Map: Complete map of Roman empire demonstrating the land added to Rome during each period; label different regions
appropriately
Lesson 6: Costs & Benefits of Expansion- In this lesson, students will decide if the costs of expansion outweighed the benefits.
 Persuasive Writing: Write an editorial to the imaginary Roman Times; state whether you agree or disagree with the
continued expansion of Rome; use evidence to support your answer, while persuading your readers.
Lesson 7: Simulation on Punic Wars- In this lesson, students will take on the position of a stakeholder from Rome or Carthage and
use their knowledge and understanding of the Punic Wars to negotiate a new treaty between the two cities.