Materials

• Teacher-prepared pre-test
• Pictures of the Roman Empire
• Teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or activity

Instructional Activities

NOTE: The following Web resources may be helpful in teaching this session:

• “Roman Architecture.” Boston College. <http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/arch/roman_arch.html>. This site provides samples of Roman architecture.
• “Roman Architecture and Literature.” GeoCities. <http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Pantheon/9013/index.html>. This site provides samples of Roman architecture and literature.
• “Roman Art.” ArtLex. <http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/r/roman.html>. This site provides samples of Roman art.

1. Prepare a fill-in-the-blank pre-test on Rome. Include the following topics:
   • Alps
   • Roman gods and goddesses
   • Patricians
   • Plebeians
   • Consuls
   • Law of Rome
   • Hannibal
   • Julius Caesar
   • Augustus Caesar
   • Pax Romana
   • Emperor Constantine
   • Contributions of ancient Rome
   • Byzantine Empire
   
   
2. Allow time for students to complete the pre-test. Instruct students to check their own tests as you provide the answers.
   
   
3. Explain that the next unit will cover all of the topics addressed on the pre-test, and explain the relationship of the topics to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
   
   
4. Obtain pictures of scenes from the Roman Empire. The Web site above, titled “Roman Art and Architecture” may be of assistance.
   
   
5. Share pictures or slides with students, and ask them to comment on them. If the slides portray people, encourage students to think about what can be inferred from the pictures. The following questions may help the students in their analysis:
   
   • What are the people doing?
   • How are they dressed?
   • Do they seem to be important figures in society? Why or why not?
   
   
6. Assign a teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available teacher resources.