Download The Pax Romana Project

The Pax Romana Project
Friends, Romans, citizens, lend me your skills!
Augustus Caesar ushered in an era of extended peace and expansion in the Roman Empire
that lasted for nearly 200 years, the Pax Romana. During this span of time, the Roman
Empire reached the height of its power. As an expertly skilled Roman citizen, you have
been tasked with reflecting back on important aspects of the Pax Romana to use your
skills to both examine and pay tribute to the greatness of Rome!
To complete this commemorative endeavor, you will complete four introspective steps:
each of which beckons for you to glimpse back into the splendorous history of Rome. The
challenge is great, and only the most skilled citizens will succeed!
The Steps are laid out in order in the space below:
Step I: The Artist – Recreate the intricate details of the Augustus of Prima Porta
Statue or Trajan’s Column.
Step II: The Geographer – Draft a map of the Ancient Roman Empire at its peak, and
make sure to label key cities, provinces, and geographical features.
Step III: Scribe – Recount the legend of Rome’s founding by Romulus and Remus for
future generations so that the Empire’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all people.
Step IV: Historian – Research ten innovations that help build Rome. Then choose one
that you think was most important in this process and explain why.
Step I – The Artist
You have been commissioned to draft a rendering of one of the most famous works of art and sculpture in
the Empire: the Augustus of Prima Porta Statue or Trajan’s Column.
Use the following archive at Khan Academy to find information and visuals about Augustus of Prima
Porta: http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/roman-sculpture.html
Recreate your version of a close up of 1 scene in Trajan’s Column in the space below:
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/roman/middle-empire/v/columnof-trajan-completed-113-c-e
Recreate your version of the Augustus of Prima Porta statue OR Trajan’s Column in the space below:
Step II – The Geographer
As the Roman Empire expanded it eventually encompassed almost all of Europe, as well as parts of North
Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. You have been commissioned to draft a map of the Empire at its height,
making sure to label important cities, provinces and geographical features.
Use Google images to find ancient sources that will enable you to draft your map of the Roman Empire at
its height in the space below:
Step III – The Scribe
Like all great empires, Rome’s creation myth is essential to the very story of the city, the people and the
empire itself. As the years pass; however, people tend to forget the great tale of Romulus and Remus. You
have been tasked with recounting the tale in the form of a 16 line rhythmical narrative that will regale
young and old citizens alike for millennia to come!
Use the following ancient resource to view the tale of Romulus and Remus and then craft your 16 line
rhyming narrative in the space below:
http://www.schooltube.com/video/2e68b600ed2e44cf9807/Romulus%20and%20Remus
Step IV – The Historian
The Roman Empire could never have thrived without its incredible innovations, ones that are still in use
all over the world today!
Read over the following list of “10 Innovations That Built Ancient Rome” ( http://www.history.com/news/historylists/10-innovations-that-built-ancient-rome ) and decide which you think was most important in helping Rome thrive as
a successful civilization. Please draw your choice and offer two or three sentences to explain your answer below.
Once you’ve finished, walk down a Roman Street just for fun:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/walk/games_index.shtml
Be sure to pick out the things that don’t belong!