| WHI.6 |
The student will demonstrate knowledge of ancient Rome from about 700 B.C. (B.C.E.) to 500 A.D. (C.E.) in terms of its impact on Western civilization by |
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assessing the influence of geography on Roman economic, social, and political development; |
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describing Roman mythology and religion; |
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explaining the social structure and role of slavery, significance of citizenship, and the development of democratic features in the government of the Roman Republic; |
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sequencing events leading to Roman military domination of the Mediterranean basin and Western Europe and the spread of Roman culture in these areas; |
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assessing the impact of military conquests on the army, economy, and social structure of Rome; |
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assessing the roles of Julius and Augustus Caesar in the collapse of the Republic and the rise of imperial monarchs; |
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explaining the economic, social, and political impact of the Pax Romana; |
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describing the origin, beliefs, traditions, customs, and spread of Christianity; |
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explaining the development and significance of the Church in the late Roman Empire; |
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listing contributions in art and architecture, technology and science, medicine, literature and history, language, religious institutions, and law; |
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k) |
citing the reasons for the decline and fall of the Western Roman Empire |
NOTE: The Virginia Board of Education adopted the revised 2008 History and Social Science Standards of Learning at the January 10, 2008, meeting. Full implementation of these documents is scheduled for the 2010-2011 school year, as outlined in Superintendent’s Memorandum Informational Number 49.
Explain that the city of Rome, with its central location on the Italian peninsula, was able to extend its influence over the entire Mediterranean basin.
Explain that the Italian peninsula was protected by the sea and an arc of mountains, the Alps.
Summarize the importance of geographic location to the economic, social, and political development of ancient Rome, using the following information as a guide:
• Rome—Centrally located in the Mediterranean basin and distant from eastern Mediterranean powers
• Italian Peninsula
• Alps—Protection
• Mediterranean Sea—Protection, sea-borne commerce
Explain that Roman mythology, like Greek mythology, was based upon a polytheistic religion that was integral to culture, politics, and art.
Explain that many of Western civilization’s symbols, metaphors, words, and idealized images come from ancient Roman mythology.
Summarize Roman mythology, using the following information as a guide:
• Based on the Greek polytheistic religion
• Explanations of natural phenomena, human qualities, and life events
Describe the Roman gods and goddesses, using the following information as a guide:
• Jupiter, Juno, Apollo, Diana, Minerva, and Venus
• Symbols and images in literature, art, monumental architecture, and politics
Explain that although women, most aliens (non-Romans living in the Republic), and slaves were excluded from the governing process, the Roman Republic made major strides in the development of representative democracy, which became a foundation of modern democracy.
Summarize the social structure in the Roman Republic, using the following information as a guide:
• Patricians—Powerful nobility (few in number)
• Plebeians—Majority of population
• Slaves—Not based on race
Summarize the citizenship of the Roman Republic, using the following information as a guide:
• Patrician and plebeian men
• Selected foreigners
• Rights and responsibilities of citizenship (taxes, military service)
Describe the features of democracy in the Roman Republic, using the following information as a guide:
• Representative democracy
• Assemblies
• The Senate
• Consuls
• Laws of Rome codified as Twelve Tables
Explain that, after the victory over Carthage in the Punic Wars, Rome was able to dominate the Mediterranean basin over the next 100 years, leading to the diffusion of Roman culture.
Describe the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage from 264 to 146 B.C., using the following information as a guide:
• Rome and Carthage were in competition for trade.
• Hannibal invaded the Italian Peninsula.
• Three wars resulted in Roman victory, the destruction of Carthage, and expanded trade and wealth for Rome.
Summarize the evolution of the Roman Empire and spread of Roman culture, using the following information as a guide:
• Mediterranean basin (Africa, Asia, Europe, including the Hellenistic world of the Eastern Mediterranean)
• Western Europe (Gaul, British Isles)
Explain that the Roman Republic, in the face of changing social and economic conditions, failed to survive challenges by Julius Caesar, succumbed to civil war, and was replaced by an imperial regime, the Roman Empire.
Summarize the causes for the decline of the Roman Republic, using the following information as a guide:
• Spread of slavery in the agricultural system
• Migration of small farmers into cities and unemployment
• Civil war over the power of Julius Caesar
• Devaluation of Roman currency; inflation
Summarize the origin and evolution of Imperial Rome, using the following information as a guide:
• Julius Caesar—Seizure of power, assassination
• Augustus Caesar—Civil war, defeat of Marc Anthony, Rome’s first emperor
• Empire—Unified and enlarged, using imperial authority and the military
• Failure to provide for peaceful succession of Emperors
Explain that Augustus Caesar established the Roman Empire by instituting civil service, rule by law, a common coinage, and secure travel and trade throughout the Empire.
Explain that, following Augustus Caesar, the Roman Empire enjoyed 200 years of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.
Describe the Pax Romana, using the following information as a guide:
• Two centuries of peace and prosperity under imperial rule
• Expansion and solidification of the Roman Empire, particularly in the Near East
Summarize the economic, social, and political impact of the Pax Romana on the Roman Empire, using the following information as a guide:
Economic impact of the Pax Romana
• Established uniform system of money, which helped to expand trade
• Guaranteed safe travel and trade on Roman roads
• Promoted prosperity and stability
Social impact of the Pax Romana
• Returned stability to social classes
• Increased emphasis on the family
Political impact of the Pax Romana
• Created a civil service
• Developed a uniform rule of law
Explain that the followers of Jesus spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, bringing it into conflict with Roman polytheism and eventually changing Western civilization.
Summarize the origins of Christianity within the Roman Empire, using the following information as a guide:
• Had its roots in Judaism
• Was led by Jesus of Nazareth, who was proclaimed the Messiah
• Conflicted with polytheistic beliefs of the Roman Empire
Summarize the essential beliefs, traditions, and customs of the early Christian faith, using the following information as a guide:
• Monotheism
• Jesus as both Son and incarnation of God
• Life after death
• New Testament, containing accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as writings of early Christians
• Christian doctrine established by early church councils
Summarize the spread of Christianity, using the following information as a guide:
• Carried by the Apostles, including Paul, throughout the Roman Empire
• Slowed as a result of persecution by Roman authorities
• Adopted and legalized by Emperor Constantine
Explain that, as the Roman Empire declined in the West, the Church in Rome grew in importance, membership, and influence.
Summarize the impact of the early Church of Rome in the late Roman Empire, using the following information as a guide:
• Church became an example of moral authority.
• Loyalty to the church became more important than loyalty to the Emperor.
• Church became main unifying force of Western Europe.
Explain that conquests and trade spread Roman cultural and technological achievements throughout the Empire.
Explain that western civilization was influenced by the cultural achievements of Rome.
Summarize the contribution of ancient Rome, using the following information as a guide:
• Art/architecture: Pantheon, Colosseum, Forum
• Technology: Roads, aqueducts, Roman arches
• Science: Ptolemy
• Medicine: Emphasis on public health (public baths; public water system; medical schools)
• Language: Latin, Romance languages
• Literature: Virgil’s Aeneid
• Religion: Roman mythology; adoption of Christianity as the imperial religion
• Law: The principle of “innocent until proven guilty” (from the Twelve Tables)
Explain that over a 300-year period, the western part of the Roman Empire steadily declined because of internal and external problems.
Summarize the following causes for the decline of the Western Roman Empire:
• Economy—The cost of defense and devaluation of Roman currency
• Military—Army membership starting to include invaders, resulting in decline of discipline
• Moral decay—People’s loss of faith in Rome and the family
• Political problems—Civil conflict and weak administration
• Invasion—Attacks on borders
Summarize the division of the Roman Empire, using the following information as a guide:
• Move of capital by Constantine from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople
• Survival of Western Roman Empire until 476 A.D., when it ceased to have a Roman Emperor
• Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire)
Below is an annotated list of Internet resources for this organizing topic. Copyright restrictions may exist for the material on some Web sites. Please note and abide by any such restrictions.
“Romans.” BBC. < http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/>. This site provides information and artwork on the empire and a number of Roman Emperors.
“The Punic Wars.” Boise State University. <http://history.boisestate.edu/westciv/punicwar/>. This site provides a brief history of origins, phases, and results of the Punic Wars.
“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.
“The Spread of Christianity.” Public Broadcasting Service. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/maps/christ.html>. This site provides information on maps and archaeology related to the spread of Christianity during the time of the Roman Empire.
“Timeline of the Roman Empire.” BBC. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/rome_timeline.shtml>
This site provides a timeline of the Roman Empire.
Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments for the 2001 History and Social Science Standards of Learning: History and Social Science Released Items for WorldHistoryI. Virginia Department of Education 2003/04. <http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/Release2003/History/VA-RIBs_g11wh1-1.pdf>.
Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments for the 2001 History and Social Science Standards of Learning. World History and Geography to 1500 A.D. Test Blueprint. Virginia Department of Education, 2003/04. <http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/HistoryBlueprints03/2002Blueprint7WHI.pdf>. This site provides assessment information for World History and Geography to 1500 A.D. |
