Imagine that you could use a time machine to journey back in time to an ancient land with a new lifestyle, clothes, government, and even toys! What if people used chariots instead of cars or went to school before sunrise? Would you feel excited and/or afraid in this different time and country? I bet you'd feel much more comfortable if you knew some more about this new place. 

During this WebQuest you will use teamwork and the Internet to explore Ancient Rome and learn about their daily life, myths, and government. Each person on your team will learn one piece of the puzzle and then you will come together to get a better understanding of the topic.

 

The Task

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Your group's task is to create a Travel Log about your trip back in time to Ancient Rome to share with the whole class. As a member of the group you will explore Websites from all over the world about Ancient Rome. Because these are real Websites, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use a dictionary to look up any words you don't know.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background about Ancient Rome. Then your group members and you will each take on a role and become an expert on a part of the topic.

Each group member will take notes on individual tablets during the journey back in time to Ancient Rome. Once that task is completed, each member will share their discoveries with the other group members. Each role is important, so make sure to share all of the new information that you learn with your group members.

 

 

Something for Everyone

Background Information

Use the Internet information linked below to gather some basic facts about Ancient Rome. All members of the group should visit these sites and record interesting details on your tablets.

 

 

• http://rome.mrdonn.org/index.html - This site has great information on all subjects with many links for you to use.  Check out the power points.

 

• Rome: A New Power Rises - Read this page to learn some basic facts about Ancient Rome.

 
Instructions

• Individuals from your WebQuest team will explore one of four roles listed in the Table of Contents.

• Write down each role on a piece of paper and place them in a hat or container. Pick in order from youngest to oldest.

• Once each student has a role, read through the links for your role and record all the questions and answers for each site.

• As you explore the sites, remember the information that is important for your role.

 

 

THE ROLES

 

 

Olympian

An olympian is someone who comes from Mt. Olympus, the home of the Gods. You will learn about some of the Roman gods, their connection to Greek gods, and a brief myth. Pay attention to these areas as you explore your sites. Record the questions and their answers on your tablet.

Greek Mythology: The Olympians - The Greeks believed in the same Gods that the Romans did, but they used different names for their Gods. Compare the descriptions of the Roman Gods to those of the Greek Gods. Do you notice any differences?  At this site, read about:

• Zeus (Greek for Jupiter)
• Poseidon (Greek for Neptune)
• Hades (Greek for Pluto)
• Hera (Greek for Juno)
• Athena (Greek for Minerva)

Roman Gods - Visit this site to learn more about specific Roman Gods. Don't forget to record your answers on your tablet so that you can share with your team members later! Read about these gods and write down a few facts about each one:

• Jupiter
• Neptune
• Pluto
• Hera
• Minerva

Hercules - As an Olympian, you should be aware of one of the most famous Roman/Greek myths. Click on Hercules to read this story about the hero.

• Who was Hercules' enemy?
• Why did he have to perform 12 difficult tasks?

Parvulus (Child)

Ancient Romans spoke Latin, and 'parvulus' was their word for 'child.' As a parvulus, you will explore schools, toys, and learn about the life of a Roman child. Pay attention to these areas as you explore your sites. Record the questions and their answers on your tablet.

School in Ancient Rome
Read this site to learn about the education system of ancient Rome.

• What was the main goal of education in ancient Rome?
• What did the Roman students use to do their math problems?
• Did the kids of poor families go to school? Why or why not?

Toys in Ancient Rome
Ancient Romans liked to play games, just like you do!

• How did the games in Ancient Rome compare with some games that you play today?
• How did play time for poor families differ from wealthy families?
• Do you play with the same animals that the Ancient Romans did?

The Romans: Families and Children
Read this site to learn about education in ancient Rome.

• As a Roman child, would you prefer to be a boy or a girl? Why?
• What were Roman primary (elementary) schools called?
• What subjects did the boys learn in primary school? Are these subjects that you learn about in your school?

 

Historian

An historian studies the history, geography, and daily life of a certain culture. Pay attention to these areas as you explore your sites. Record the questions and their answers on your tablet.
 

Daily Life in Rome - As a historian, you should learn more about the daily life of the Ancient Romans. At this website, you can! Please visit each link to learn more about their family life, houses, education, weddings, important days, and the life of the people.

• Would you like to live in the houses of Ancient Rome? Why or why not?
• What are some differences between the Roman lifestyle and today's lifestyle? How is your school different from or similar to the children's education that is discussed here?
• Read the section about how Romans spent their leisure time. Do you notice any differences between how Romans spent their free time and how you spend yours? Do you approve of how they spent their free time?

The Romans: Leisure - A historian must understand the lives of the Ancient Romans. Please read the following page and answer these questions:

• What are some of the things Romans did for fun?
• What did Romans see when they went to the Ampitheater?
• What are some things that are the same between Ancient Rome and our lives today? What are some things that are different?

Roman Geography - As a historian that studies Rome, one of the most important parts of your role is to know where in the world Rome is located. Use this map to locate Rome and learn more about the geographic features (land). Remember that if you want to click on the yellow words to link to another page use the 'back' button to return to the 'geographic features' page where you will find the answers to the following questions.

• Where is Rome located?
• Where did most Romans live?
• What is a forum?

Roman Baths - The Roman baths were an important part of the lifestyle of the Ancient Romans. As you learn about these baths, remember to write your answers to the following questions on your tablet so you will be able to share with your team members later.

• What did the Romans do at the baths?
• Do we have a place like the Roman baths for people to enjoy today?
• What is the largest Roman bath? How big is it?

Senator

In Ancient Rome, a senator was a powerful Roman citizen who helped make laws and control the city. As a senator, you will learn more about Roman government, including senators, emperors, and the connections between their government and the United States government. Pay attention to these areas as you explore your sites. Record the questions and their answers on your tablet.
 

The Romans: City of Rome - As a Senator, it is important that you understand more about the Roman system of government. This website will tell you about Roman government. Please read this page and then answer these questions:

• Name all the different ways in which Rome was ruled.
• How were senators elected? Who could and could not vote in these elections?
• When Rome became an empire, who was the leader? Were there still senators?

Government in Rome - Read this site about the Roman Emperors, branches of government, and laws.

• Why did the Romans want to have an Emperor?
• What are the three branches of government? Which one is the most powerful part of the legislative branch?
• Were women allowed to vote in Ancient Rome? Are they allowed to vote today? Do you think the laws about voting should be like the Ancient Roman times, or do you agree with today's laws? Why or why not?
• How do you think an American woman from today would feel if she had to live back in Ancient Roman times?

Dead Romans: The Emperors - When Rome was an empire, emperors were in charge. As a senator, you should learn about the history of some of the different Roman emperors. Read this website and then answer the questions below:

• Who was the first Roman emperor?
• How did Caligula die?
• Which emperor might have started a fire in Rome that destroyed almost one-half of the city?
   

The Legacy of Roman Government - Read this site on Roman government. Remember to record your answers to the questions on your tablet in order to share with your team members later.

• What does 'bicameral' mean?
• How was the Roman government similar to the the United States government?

Why is it important that the Senators are chosen by the people?
 

  
  

Final Step

 
You have all learned about a different part of Ancient Rome. Now group members come back to the WebQuest team with information gained by searching from one role.

You must all now work as a group to create a Travel Log. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the project. Use information, pictures, facts, opinions, etc. from the Websites you explored to tell your teammates about your viewpoint. Your WebQuest team should create a Travel Log that includes parts from each role. You may design it any way you wish! It is important to include comparisons between Ancient Rome and today's lifestyle.

Once you have finished, share your project with the entire class.

These are the important parts of your evaluation:

• Creativity
• Demonstration of concept understanding
• Group cooperation
• Group participation (amount of information from each role should be equal)
• Expression of personal opinions on the topic
• Ability to express opinions and facts to group members and the class as a whole.

 

 

Finally..... remember to have fun while you are learning.

 

Many thanks to:

 

This webquest was created by Carolyn Burdett, Carol Maier, and Alaina White, former students at the University of Richmond studying in the department of Education. It was completed during the spring semester of 1999 as a project for the class