Julius Caesar and Roman History

Shakespeare based many of his plays on historical events. In order to understand the context in which Julius Caesar takes place, you will need some background information about Caesar and Rome. After all, in order to build a house, you need a solid foundation.

Phase 1 - Roles
    These roles were chosen because they each define the most important elements of reading Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Each group has been assigned a particular role with links and instructions below. Here are the general instructions for all of you. Please see your specific instructions and questions below.

        INSTRUCTIONS:
        1. Use the links below to locate information about your topic. Pay attention to the extra instructions for certain links!

        2. Read through your resources and take notes on any information you feel is pertinent and essential to your topic.

        3. Focus your research into main points.

        4. List your main points in the Google Classroom discussion under "Webquest"
 

           Role #1 - Life History of Julius Caesar:

           Your task is to research basic biographical details about Julius Caesar. You should include the following:
           - Where and how he grew up
           - Academic and military background
           - Beliefs towards military and government
           - Details regarding the end of his life

• 1. Julius Caesar Historical Background

• 2. Biography Base - Julius Caesar (This is a lot of information. Just skim it and try to get the main points of the beginning, middle, and end of his life.)

• 3. Encyclopedia of World Biography- Julius Caesar

• 4. Biography of Caesar (You only have to click on the "Youth" and "Early Career" links! However, you are welcome to do more research on this site if you want!) 

• 5. The Life of Julius Caesar (Scroll to the bottom of the page. Click on all five pages!)

            Role #2 - Government of Rome during Caesar's Time:

            Your task is to research the governmental system of Rome before and during Caesar's rule. You should focus on
            -The structure of the government
            -The flaws in the system
            -Any changes that Caesar made

• 1. Goverment of Rome

• 2. Roman Government

• 3. Roman Empire (Click on the other links in white beside "Government" at the top of the page!)

• 4. Ancient Rome: Roman History and Government (Click on the links under "Government" on the left side!) 

• 5. Roman Government Hierarchy (Click on the map's terms to find out more info.)

           Role #3 - Rome in Caesar's Time:

           Your task is to research the social structures, activities, and every day life for those who lived in Rome under Caesar's rule. You should focus on
           - Family/Society
           - Education
           - Housing 
           - Sources of Entertainment

• 1. Life in Roman Times

• 2. The Romans (Click ONLY on the "Entertainment", "Housing" and "Education" links!)

• 3. Social Classes in Rome

• 4. a) Roman Leisure AND b) Family and Children (For both sites, click on the question on the left-side to see the answers. Also, click on "Fun Facts" to see more information.)

• 5. The Roman Empire: Home Life

            Role #4 - Rome's Major Contributions to Society:
               Your task is to research contributions of Roman society that are still in existence or still              influence us today.

• 1. The Great Builders

• 2. Watering Ancient Rome (At the bottom of the page, click "Continue:Arcades" for the rest of the information!)

• 3. Roman Roads (Click at the top on "Roman Road Construction" or "Roman Road Charts" for more information on this topic.)

• 4. The Colloseum (Click on "Launch Animation" to begin a tour of the Colloseum. Click on certain areas to find our more information about them.)

• 5. Roman Technology (Click on the four "Technology" questions in the left-hand side to see the answers for your notes. Click on "Fun Facts" for more information!)

            Role #5 - Religion and Beliefs in Ancient Rome
               Your task is to research religious practices and beliefs of Roman society. Be sure to address the major gods/goddesses of their religion as well any ceremonies or rituals that had to be followed. Also, are there any superstitions from this time that people still believe in? 

• 1. Religion in Ancient Rome 

• 2. Omens and Superstitions (Read ALL of this page, but pay special attention to the "Auspices and Omens" section - it mentions Julius Caesar.)

• 3. Religion in the Home 

• 4. Romans: Religion (Read this page and then click on the 3 other links under "Choose a Section". You will need to read all 4 links! You can also look under "Fun Facts" for more related information.)

           Role #6 - Slavery in Ancient Rome
           Your task is to research slavery in Ancient Rome. Be sure to include information on topics such as the duties of slaves, the punishments for slaves, and the people who owned slaves.

• 1. Resisting Slavery in Ancient Rome    

• 2. The Romans - Slaves   

• 3. Slavery in Ancient Rome  

• 4. Slaves and Freemen        

• 5. KET - Slavery (Click on ALL the tabs at the top after you read the "Introduction"! The last one you should read is "Freedom".)

Your partnership/team has been assigned a specific role. You will use the links provided to become experts on your roles. Then you will share key information with class. 

By completing this WebQuest, you should achieve the following goals:
    1) develop an interest in the study of Julius Caesar;
    2) use the power of the Internet for advanced exploration;
    3) learn information about key aspects of Julius Caesar and Rome;
    4) realize that complex topics can be looked at from various perspectives; and
    5) work with teammates to determine a combined action plan.

You will be working in partners to explore web sites that will help you gain a better understand of Roman History and Caesar. Each group will be given a different “Role” to complete and a separate set of web sites to use. After you explore the websites and take notes on which information you think is most important for your peers to understand, you will convene as a whole class, sharing out key points you learned during your research about that topic.

    Phase 1 - Roles
    These roles were chosen because they each define the most important elements of reading Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Each group has been assigned a particular role with links and instructions below. Here are the general instructions for all of you. Please see your specific instructions and questions below.

        INSTRUCTIONS:
        1. Use the links below to locate information about your topic. Pay attention to the extra instructions for certain links!

        2. Read through your resources and take notes on any information you feel is pertinent and essential to your topic.

        3. Focus your research into main points.

        4. Add notes to your pages so that you know what you are going to share.
 

           Role #1 - Life History of Julius Caesar:

           Your task is to research basic biographical details about Julius Caesar. You should include the following:
           - Where and how he grew up
           - Academic and military background
           - Beliefs towards military and government
           - Details regarding the end of his life

• 1. Julius Caesar Historical Background

• 2. Biography Base - Julius Caesar (This is a lot of information. Just skim it and try to get the main points of the beginning, middle, and end of his life.)

• 3. Encyclopedia of World Biography- Julius Caesar

• 4. Biography of Caesar (You only have to click on the "Youth" and "Early Career" links! However, you are welcome to do more research on this site if you want!) 

• 5. The Life of Julius Caesar (Scroll to the bottom of the page. Click on all five pages!)

            Role #2 - Government of Rome during Caesar's Time:

            Your task is to research the governmental system of Rome before and during Caesar's rule. You should focus on
            -The structure of the government
            -The flaws in the system
            -Any changes that Caesar made

• 1. Goverment of Rome

• 2. Roman Government

• 3. Roman Empire (Click on the other links in white beside "Government" at the top of the page!)

• 4. Ancient Rome: Roman History and Government (Click on the links under "Government" on the left side!) 

• 5. Roman Government Hierarchy (Click on the map's terms to find out more info.)

           Role #3 - Rome in Caesar's Time:

           Your task is to research the social structures, activities, and every day life for those who lived in Rome under Caesar's rule. You should focus on
           - Family/Society
           - Education
           - Housing 
           - Sources of Entertainment

• 1. Life in Roman Times

• 2. The Romans (Click ONLY on the "Entertainment", "Housing" and "Education" links!)

• 3. Social Classes in Rome

• 4. a) Roman Leisure AND b) Family and Children (For both sites, click on the question on the left-side to see the answers. Also, click on "Fun Facts" to see more information.)

• 5. The Roman Empire: Home Life

            Role #4 - Rome's Major Contributions to Society:
               Your task is to research contributions of Roman society that are still in existence or still              influence us today.

• 1. The Great Builders

• 2. Watering Ancient Rome (At the bottom of the page, click "Continue:Arcades" for the rest of the information!)

• 3. Roman Roads (Click at the top on "Roman Road Construction" or "Roman Road Charts" for more information on this topic.)

• 4. The Colloseum (Click on "Launch Animation" to begin a tour of the Colloseum. Click on certain areas to find our more information about them.)

• 5. Roman Technology (Click on the four "Technology" questions in the left-hand side to see the answers for your notes. Click on "Fun Facts" for more information!)

            Role #5 - Religion and Beliefs in Ancient Rome
               Your task is to research religious practices and beliefs of Roman society. Be sure to address the major gods/goddesses of their religion as well any ceremonies or rituals that had to be followed. Also, are there any superstitions from this time that people still believe in? 

• 1. Religion in Ancient Rome 

• 2. Omens and Superstitions (Read ALL of this page, but pay special attention to the "Auspices and Omens" section - it mentions Julius Caesar.)

• 3. Religion in the Home 

• 4. Romans: Religion (Read this page and then click on the 3 other links under "Choose a Section". You will need to read all 4 links! You can also look under "Fun Facts" for more related information.)

           Role #6 - Slavery in Ancient Rome
           Your task is to research slavery in Ancient Rome. Be sure to include information on topics such as the duties of slaves, the punishments for slaves, and the people who owned slaves.

• 1. Resisting Slavery in Ancient Rome    

• 2. The Romans - Slaves   

• 3. Slavery in Ancient Rome  

• 4. Slaves and Freemen        

• 5. KET - Slavery (Click on ALL the tabs at the top after you read the "Introduction"! The last one you should read is "Freedom".)

Evaluation

You will receive 4 participation points for sharing at least 6 key details from your research.

CONCLUSION

Once you are done researching your topic and reaching consensus on key points, prepare with your group what you are going to say and the order in which you are going to present it.