Core Skills Analysis
History
- Will identified the key political figures involved in the Ides of March, such as Julius Caesar, Brutus, and Cassius, recognizing their roles in the Roman Republic.
- He understood the chronological sequence of events leading to the assassination, placing the year 44 BCE within the broader timeline of Roman history.
- Will grasped the concept of cause and effect by linking Caesar’s accumulation of power to the senators’ fear of tyranny and subsequent plot.
- He recognized the lasting historical impact of the assassination, including the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Empire.
Tips
To deepen Will’s grasp of Roman history, have him compare a primary source like Plutarch’s account with the video, then stage a mock Senate debate where students argue for and against the assassination. Follow the debate with a collaborative timeline that plots key events from Caesar’s rise to the formation of the Empire. Finally, encourage a creative writing task where Will writes a diary entry from the perspective of a Roman citizen on the Ides of March, integrating factual details and personal sentiment.
Book Recommendations
- The Ides of March (The Roman Mysteries #5) by Carole Nelson Douglas: A historical mystery set in ancient Rome that follows young protagonists as they uncover political intrigue surrounding Caesar’s death.
- The Roman Empire: From Julius Caesar to the Fall of the Western Empire by David M. Gwynn: A middle‑school‑friendly narrative that explains the political, social, and military changes from Caesar’s assassination to the rise of Augustus.
- You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Roman Senator! by David Stewart: A humorous nonfiction book that illustrates the daily life, duties, and dangers faced by Roman senators, giving context to the motives behind the Ides of March.
Learning Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1 – Cite specific textual evidence from the video to support analysis of historical events.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2 – Determine the central idea of the assassination and its significance in Roman history.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.3 – Use chronological ordering to explain the sequence of events leading to 44 BCE.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.2 – Write informative/explanatory texts about the causes and effects of Caesar’s death.
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Fill‑in‑the‑blank timeline of events from 49 BCE to 44 BCE with space for student‑written cause‑and‑effect notes.
- Quiz: Five short‑answer questions asking for the motivations of Brutus, the significance of the Ides of March, and the immediate outcomes of the assassination.
- Art Prompt: Draw the Senate chamber and label each conspirator, then write a brief caption describing their role.