Sunday, September 20, 2009

Rome - un po' di storia

1) Who was Virgil? Why was the Aeneid important?

In the Aeneid, Virgil states:
Roman, remember the attributes worthy of you:
To rule the people under your empire,
To impose and maintain peace,
To spare and aid the meek,
To tame the arrogant.
2) Find some evidence online that shows that the Romans followed these suggestions (or that they did not). Copy your sources and explain.

3) What purpose did the Trojan Horse serve in the Trojan War? Please explain the story briefly. Bonus: Can you find the part in the Aeneid? Print it for extra credit.


4) The fame of Aeneas and the episodes of the Trojan war reached the shores of North Africa. The queen Dido asked Aeneas to stay a while at her court and narrate the details of the war. Find some more information about Dido (a few facts).

The Founding of Rome:
5) What is the legend of Romulus and Remus? Summarize the legend and explain what it has to do with the founding of Rome.

Romulus expanded Roman control over the neighboring territories and instituted the Senate (a governing body of elder patricians). The population in Rome was at first divided into two categories: the patricians and the plebians.
6) Who were the patricians? Who were the plebians?

The success of the Roman expansion
7) What was teh strategy that allowed the Romans to first conquer and, secondly, to maintain their conquered territories? (Name a few ideas: approximately 5 ideas)

Religion in Ancient Rome
The Romans were polytheists (they believed in many gods). They feared and respected their gods, and sought to win their favors. Sacrifices to ingratiate the gods were a common occurence in Roman soceity.
Jupiter was the king of all gods, emperor of Olympus and protector of Rome. He portrays universal justice and the power of nature. He is the final judge, the god of the earth, and his weapon was the thunderbolt with which he would strike down his enemies.
You might be more familiar with his Greek name.
8) What was Jupiter's Greek name?
9) Who was Venus?
10) What was Venus's son's name?



Expansion of the Roman Republic
11) Who was the biggest threat to the Roman Republic?
12) What were the three wars fought?


13) Gaius Julius Caesar was born in Rome on July 13, 100 B.C. His ancestry was of noble origin. The Julian family could trace its origins to the legendary Iulius, son of the Trojan hero ____________, father of the Latin dynasty. Like many other young Roman aristocrats of the period, Caesar went to Greece to perfect his skills in oratory and his knowledge of philosophy.

From Egypt (after he ordered Ptolemy dethroned and named his younger sister Cleopatra queen), Caesar proceeded to Asia Minor and defeated King Pharnaces II in a war that lasted only days. After this swift victory, Caesar sent his famous message back to Rome: "Veni, Vidi, Vici!"
14) What does this message translate to in English?



15) Name 3 things that led the Roman Empire to fall.