Download Unit Outline: Legacy of Greeks and Romans

Legacy of the Greeks & Romans
Fall 2010
“The Foundation of Modern Thought”
Term Sets:
Define each term AND explain why it is historically important (please type if your handwriting is difficult to read)
Please review your handout with a sample term set before you complete Term Set #1 or see my website for an example
Term Set #1:
Pericles, Direct Democracy, Monarchy, Aristocracy, Socrates, Plato, natural laws, Ancient Greece,
Term Set#2:
Republic, Senate, Roman Law, Monotheistic, Christianity, Judaism, Ancient Rome
UNIT CALENDAR:
Wednesday August 18th
Course introduction, why study History?
Thursday August 19th
Create your own society project
Friday August 20th
Analyzing vs. Summarizing History, Term Set Form, Student Survey
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Monday August 23rd
The Legacy of Ancient Greece Reading
HW: Read pages 5-7
Tuesday August 24th
Plato and Democracy
Thursday August 26th
Greek Philosophy Continued
DUE: TERM SET #1
Friday August 27th
Greek Summary
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Monday August 30th
Legacy of the Roman Empire:
HW: Read pages 8-14
Tuesday August 31st
The persecution & rise of Christianity
Thursday September 2nd
Rome Summary
DUE: TERM SET #2
Friday September 3rd (minimum day)
Compare & Contrast Greeks versus Romans
Monday September 6th
No School- Labor Day
Tuesday September 7th
Unit Wrap Up
Thursday September 9th
UNIT TEST:
Multiple Choice & Short Answer
Unit I: The Rise of Democratic Values
During the first unit of this course, the goals, routines and expectations of the class will be established as we examine the
origins of democratic values. Today, most of us take for granted that people should have a voice in the society they live under, but
this idea of democracy evolved very slowly. A major theme throughout this course on Modern World History will be to better
understand the growth of individual rights and the rule of law over time . These democratic values can first be traced back several
thousand years to the societies of ancient Greece and Rome and that is where this course begins.
Some small Greek city-states placed a strong belief in individual rights beginning about 600 B.C. The word democracy
comes from the Greek words meaning “rule of the people”. These ideas were stressed by influential Greek philosophers including
Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates whose work s have continued to influence the ideas of peoples across the world even today. Many of the
political ideals of ancient Greece were absorbed by nearby Rome beginning around 500 B.C. As the Romans grew in power and
influence, they adopted many Greek ideas about government, law and citizenship. The strength and influence of the Roman Empire
spanned over three continents and lasted hundreds of years spreading Greco-Roman ideals.
Another influential ideal of this period was the growing belief in monotheism (one god) as practiced by early Jews and
Christians. These faiths stressed individual worth, morality and the equality of people before God and furthered a democratic outlook.
The Judeo-Christian tradition is another highly influential factor in Modern World History.
Essential Unit Question:
 How did Greco-Roman political philosophy and Judeo-Christian moral teachings
influence the development of democratic values?
Key Questions for Part I:
1) How did Solon help Athens become more democratic?
2) In your opinion, who did more to strengthen the democracy of Athens, Cleisthenes or Pericles? Why?
3) How did Greek philosophers enhance democracy?
4) In what ways was the Roman political system similar to the Athenians and how was it different?
Key Questions for Part II:
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1) Describe the basic moral teachings of Judaism and how these beliefs enhanced democracy.
2) How did the Roman Empire react to the growing popularity of Christianity?
3) How did monotheistic religions influence and spread democratic values?