Romulus and Remus
There is a legend that tells of half-god like men that
were nursed by a she-wolf and watched over by their
father the Roman god, Mars (god of war).
Web sites:
www.roman-empire.net/founding/founding.html
www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/3611/romemain.htm
According to the legend of Romulus and Remus, one of these twin
brothers killed the other. Which brother was killed and why?
Who was their Mother?
What year was the city of Rome founded?
Why is Rome sometimes referred to as “The City of the Seven Hills?”
Greek Connections
The ancient Romans took many of their ideas
concerning art, religion, science and culture from
the Greeks. The Greek culture and civilization
was firmly established in the Mediterranean region,
and the Romans envied their power and world status.
Web sites:
www.pantheon.org/mythica/miscellanea/greek_vs_roman.html
www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/arch/greek_arch.html
www.historychannel.com/perl/
www.kent.pvt.k12.ct.us/Departments/general_studies
The Romans had much the same pantheon of gods that the Greeks had. The only difference,
in many cases, was the name that the god or goddess was given. Find the Roman names for
the Greek gods: Hermes, Ares, Hera, Athena?
The Romans were great builders, but they did copy one architectural idea from the Greeks.
What was it? (hint: Today we recognize three different kinds of these sturdy roof holders:
Doric and Ionic are two)
The Etruscans
The Etruscans were an ancient people whose civilization
was much older and more powerful than their Roman
counterparts. They had a large army and a powerful navy.
Etruscan art and technology was as good as, and sometimes
better than, the technologies of civilizations older than their
own.
Web Sites:
encarta.msn.com
At one time Etruscan kings had ruled over Rome and its
inhabitants, but this would not last for long. Rome allied
itself with other enemies of the Etruscans, and eventually
subdued the Etruscan people.
What nations or peoples allied themselves with the Romans to
help defeat the Etruscans?
WEB SITES:
www.roman-empire.net
www.encarta.com
The Roman Senate was traditionally made up of aristocrats
that had already attained considerable wealth and power. The
Senate was the main governing body of the Roman empire for
hundreds of years. It would form treaties, declare war, fund public
works and many other governmental tasks. In order for a
Roman general to have favors, prestigious titles and wealth
placed upon him, he would have to have the backing and support
of the majority in the Senate. It was not until the triumph
of Julius Caesar that the Senate finally lost the majority of its
power. Eventually Caesar declared himself “Dictator for Life”
and this enraged the Senate members. Caesar was assassinated by
a group of conspiring Senators that were fearful of Caesar’s
popularity and support among the average Roman citizens, and the
majority of the Roman soldiers.
How did the struggles between the plebeians and the patricians
lead to the development of the Roman Senate?
Hannibal
Web sites:
Hannibal is probably one the most famous generals of all time.
He was the son of a Carthaginian general that had a great hatred
for the Romans. Hannibal had seen the Carthaginian people suffer
defeat after humiliating defeat at the hands of the Romans. He
vowed to avenge these defeats and in 218 B.C., he set out across the
Alps with an army of about 40,000 strong.
encarta.msn.com/find
www.thehistorynet.com
At what famous battle did Hannibal have his greatest victory over
the Romans? (hint: almost the entire Roman army was destroyed)
Hannibal started his attack, on the Romans, from the Iberian
peninsula. What country covers most of the Iberian peninsula
today?
Which Roman general eventually defeated Hannibal at Zama
(outside of Carthage)?
Roman Military Might!
Web sites:
The Romans were involved in a number
of battles and wars. Roman soldiers
were tenacious in battle and would
sometimes purposely go out of their way
to destroy an enemy--even if the enemy
was no real threat.
www.kent.pvt.k12.ct.us/Departments/general_studies
www.historychannel.com/perl
www.library.thinkquest.org/16650/cann_r3.htm
encarta.msn.com
Who did the Romans fight in the Punic Wars?
Who did the Romans fight in the Macedonian
Wars?
Web sites:
www.historychannel.com
encarta.msn.com
www.roman-empire.net
www.thehistorynet.com
All Hail Caesar!
Caesar made a name for himself during
his battles with the Gallians. The Gallians
were from a region called Gaul.
What is the region of Gaul called today?
What governing body wanted to get rid of Caesar?
What month of our year is named after Caesar?
What was the name of Caesar’s nephew that
succeeded him as the first emperor of Rome?
Roman Builders
The Romans were ingenious engineers
and architects. Among their greatest
accomplishments were their famous
arch-ways, their durable roads and their
fantastic aqueducts.
Web sites:
www.historychannel.com
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/roman/watering.html
Why were Roman aqueducts so important?
How did aqueducts work (what made them work)?
What were the settling basins used for in the aqueducts?
Why did the Romans spend so much time building roads?
The Appian way is a famous Roman road that leads to where?
(hint: answer is an older civilization to the east)
Turn in this assignment
by: 04 - 15 - 00
Make sure that all of the answers you have found
are downloaded from the internet site, and that
they have the proper address printed at the
bottom and/or top of the page.