Expansion of the Roman Empire / Lesson Plan

Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to understand the expansion of the Roman Empire and its impact on language and culture.

Materials and Prep

• Pen and paper
• Access to online resources or books about the Roman Empire

Activities

• Activity 1: Research and Map

Have the student research the expansion of the Roman Empire and create a map showing the territories it conquered. They can label the major cities and regions.

• Activity 2: Language Exploration

Ask the student to find examples of Latin words and phrases that are still used in English today. They can create a list and write sentences using these words or phrases.

• Activity 3: Roman Empire Timeline

Have the student create a timeline of key events in the expansion of the Roman Empire. They can include important battles, emperors, and significant developments.

Talking Points

• The Roman Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in history.
• It started as a small city-state in Italy and gradually expanded its territories through conquest.
• At its peak, the Roman Empire included parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
• The expansion of the Roman Empire had a significant impact on language and culture.
• Latin, the language of the Romans, influenced many languages, including English.
• Many Latin words and phrases are still used in English today, such as "et cetera" and "vice versa".
• The Roman Empire introduced new architectural styles, engineering techniques, and legal systems to the regions it conquered.
• It also spread Christianity, which became the dominant religion in the later years of the empire.
• The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD marked the end of ancient Rome, but its legacy continued to shape the world.