Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to identify and understand the role of Roman Emperors in ancient Rome's government and society.
Materials and Prep
- Pen and paper
- Access to a computer or library for research (optional)
Activities
- Activity 1: Researching Roman Emperors
- Activity 2: Creating Emperor Profiles
- Activity 3: Emperor Role Play
- Activity 4: Emperor Timeline
Encourage the student to research and make a list of at least five Roman Emperors. They can write down their names, important achievements, and any interesting facts they find.
Using the information gathered in Activity 1, have the student create profiles for each Roman Emperor. They can include a picture or drawing, the Emperor's name, important facts, and a short description of their reign.
Have the student choose one Roman Emperor from their profiles and imagine they are that Emperor. They can write a short monologue or dialogue where they talk about their accomplishments and challenges as Emperor.
Using the profiles created in Activity 2, the student can create a timeline of Roman Emperors. They should arrange the Emperors in chronological order and include important events or changes that occurred during each Emperor's reign.
Talking Points
- What is an Emperor?
- How did someone become a Roman Emperor?
- What were the responsibilities of Roman Emperors?
- What were some famous Roman Emperors and their achievements?
- What was life like under Roman Emperors?
- How did the Roman Empire decline?
An Emperor is the ruler of an empire or a large territory. In ancient Rome, Emperors held supreme power and were considered the highest authority.
To become a Roman Emperor, a person usually had to be a successful military general or be adopted by a previous Emperor. The Senate, an important governing body, would often confirm the new Emperor's position.
Roman Emperors had various responsibilities, including making laws, leading the military, and managing the economy. They were also expected to keep the people happy and maintain order in the empire.
Some famous Roman Emperors include Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, and Marcus Aurelius. Julius Caesar expanded the Roman Empire, Augustus brought stability and prosperity, Nero built grand structures, and Marcus Aurelius was known for his philosophical writings.
Life under Roman Emperors varied depending on the Emperor's reign. Some Emperors brought peace and prosperity, while others were known for their cruelty and extravagance. The common people had to pay taxes and follow the Emperor's laws.
The Roman Empire declined due to various factors, including political instability, economic issues, invasions by barbarian tribes, and internal conflicts. Eventually, the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 AD.