The Roman World: Homework Guide

The Roman World Chapters 5, 6 and 7 (pages 167-186)

Homework Guide

1. Study lecture notes.

2. Review the following references: Evolution of Roman Government/Rome v. Carthage Roman Emperors Flow Chart/Trade in the Roman World Languages of the Roman Empire/Roman Roads Spread of Christianity/Persecution of the Christians

3. From the textbook & lecture - answer the following:

• What was archaic Rome like and how was it shaped by relations with its neighbors? • How was the Roman Republic governed and how did that government shape the Western political tradition? • Why and how did Rome fight? • What were the Punic Wars and the consequences? • Compare and contrast the government of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. • How did Augustus establish a new imperial government to replace the Roman Republic? Why was he so successful? • Describe “Pax Romana” and “Romanization” • Describe the principles of Roman law and its influence today. • Who were Tacitus, Seneca, Juvenal and Galen? • Explain Christianity's rise from the birth of Jesus to Emperor Constantine. • What were the most important reforms of Diocletian and Constantine and how did those reforms play in saving and transforming the empire? • What were the causes behind the fall of the Western half of the Roman Empire in 476?

Research topics for writing assignments.

9. When in Rome…………
Explain how Roman language has affected the American culture. Reference the Roman linguistics of the Latin language as you analyze the origins of the American lexicon and how Roman speech created terms that we use today especially in the legal profession.

10…….do as the Romans do.
Explain how Roman civil law has affected the American culture. Reference the “Laws of the 12 tables” and certain legal principles emerging from the Roman culture as you analyze the profound influences that Roman law has had on the American system of jurisprudence.

11. Moving Mountains.
Someone once said, “Words can move mountains”.
Cicero was a master of rhetoric. He affected Roman language and law through his searing oratory on politics and policy. Identify a 20th or 21st century “Cicero” and explain on how he or she changed his/her culture through powerful communication skills.

12. Will the real Caesar stand up?
“The word “Caesar” is synonymous with conqueror. But the real Julius Caesar was more than a land grabber; he was a reformer, politician, visionary and tactician”. Support that statement and then cite a modern world (post-1400)“Caesar”. How is this modern world “Caesar” more like the real thing than others?

13. Rate the Rulers.
Chronicle the major emperors of the Roman World from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius. Analyze how each one shaped their times while emperor. How would you rank each one from best to worst? Explain your ranking system and as you number each emperor briefly explain why you gave him such a ranking.

14. The “Cross” roads.
Beyond the theological implications, Jesus of Nazareth was the seminal figure in the history of Western Civilization. His life occurred during the rise of the Roman Empire while his death marked the rise of the eventual Roman religion. He was a threat to both the Jewish religious establishment and Roman secular rule. Explain how Jesus’ life became the turning point of the Roman World. Cite the “Sermon on the Mount”; cite Jesus’ actions, remarks and philosophy as reasons behind his death and posthumous influence.

15. Epiphany.
Saul of Tarsus became Saint Paul. He allegedly experienced a life-changing event and his sudden change changed the world. Three other men allegedly experienced life-changing events that in turn changed the world: Buddha, Mohammad and Martin Luther. Along with Paul, explain how the conversions of these four men changed world history.

16. Persecution into Promise.
When you compare the maps of the Roman Empire (map 6.2) and of the Christian world (map 7.2) it clearly shows how Christianity replaced the Emperor as the guiding authority in the Roman World. Explain how this happened. How could a simple message from a carpenter conquer the culture of the Ancient World’s last “Superpower”? Cite the people, the injustices, the institutions, the edicts, the roles of the elite, and the role of monasticism.