Launch of Ancient Rome Bundle - Part I
Ned Donaldson
As we did in January with our look back on Ancient Greece, this month we will be celebrating another cornerstone of Western Civilization: Ancient Rome. This great civilization has influenced the world as we know it in innumerable ways. From political features such as checks and balances to military strategies and technology, from the epic gladiator battles in the Colosseum to the highly intricate waterworks of aqueducts and the Cloaca Maxima, Rome has truly been an inspiration for thousands of years.
To coincide with the launch of our Ancient Rome bundle, here’s the first half of our preview of the bundle, available for purchase once you log into your HSTRY account. Increase student engagement drastically by allowing them to explore our timelines.
1. Geography of Italy
Geographical context provides a necessary backbone to fully understand the events of the past. For example, part of the survival of Rome can be based on its location in Italy near the mountains and sea. Rome was in part able to grow, nestled between the Apennine Mountains and Mediterranean, because the mountains provided a natural barrier that was hard for opposing armies to cross while its closeness to the sea eased trade and transport throughout the Mediterranean.
This timeline is fun and engaging for your students and will give them a perfect introduction to Ancient Rome by learning about the climate, flora and fauna, and geographical features of Italy.
Did you know? Tomatoes are not native to Italy. Thus, pizza, which was created in Italy, did not have tomato sauce on it until the 18th century!
2. The History of Ancient Rome
This timeline will give your students an overview of Ancient Rome and can be used for reference at any time. After an introduction to the Italian peninsula before the rise of Rome, this timeline then takes you through the different political structures, conquest and expansion, and cultural features of Ancient Rome, giving your students an understanding of all of the major historical events.
Did You Know? The famous Roman gladiatorial matches and chariot races originated from the Etruscans, who lived in Italy before Rome was founded. The Etruscans used gladiator fights and chariot races as a way to honor the dead during a funeral.
3. The Eruption of Vesuvius
What was it like to witness the eruption of Mount Vesuvius first hand? This timeline follows Pliny the Younger and Pliny the Elder as they navigate the destruction spewed out by Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples. Your students will be captivated by Pliny the Elder’s experiences attempting a rescue of citizens trapped by volcanic anger and Pliny the Younger’s attempted escape with his mother from the town of Misenum.
This timeline is based on letters Pliny the Younger wrote to the Historian Tacitus.
Did You Know? Pliny the Younger’s description of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius has become a term, known as a Plinian Eruption, for eruptions nowadays with similar traits to those he described.
4. The Punic Wars
This timeline will give your students an in depth look at the three wars between Rome and Carthage that helped establish Rome as a great military power. The expansion of Roman territory, the use of war elephants, and the military strategies used by legendary commanders Hannibal and Scipio Africanus will captivate your students as they read about the Punic Wars.
Did You Know? Hannibal, a Carthaginian general, is revered as one of the greatest commanders in all of history. His tactics at the Battle of Cannae are still being taught at the U.S. Military Academy!
5. Religion in Ancient Rome
Looking back on history, Ancient Rome became a crossroads of religion during its reign. Polytheism, Judaism, and Christianity all played a major role in military, political, and social changes during the Roman civilization. This timeline will engage your students by connecting religious features and events in Ancient Rome with their knowledge of the world (and beyond!) today.
Did You Know? Emperor Augustus, the first emperor of Rome, used the appearance of Halley’s Comet to justify his rule, claiming that it was a sign from the gods that he was the chosen one.
If you have any questions or comments, then please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via Twitter (@HstryOrg) or else you can contact our editor-in-chief directly at jonathan@hstry.co.