Leah Dantinne

Web Quest

July 9, 2003

 

Roman Civilization

 

 

Have you heard people today discussing the Roman Empire?  Being one of the greatest civilizations of all time, it is not surprising that the roman culture has affected so many areas of current society.  We are faced with many aspects of roman culture even today and often we are unaware of it.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we understood how the past affects the future and when we are influenced by the past, it would great to recognize it?

(Gladiatorial amphitheater)

 

One example of roman culture in society is the movie Gladiator we recently watched in class.  While our movie seemed true to history how accurate was it really?  Did all the characters really exist?  Did the Roman Empire have gladiatorial fights such as those in the movie?  These are questions we often think unconsciously but do not often address.

 

Task:

determine how valid the movie Gladiator is through online sources examining the Roman Empire and critiques of the movie itself.  You will work in groups of three through the web quest and end with an individual summary.

 

Process:

There are three parts to the web quest activity.  The students will complete the acivities in groups and at the end will complete an individual response.  Students will be assessed by the guidelines at the bottom of the quest.  Students should read through the web quest with their group members and participate in the activities as instructed.

 

Let’s Get Started:

Our first activity is to find out whether the emperors in the movie Gladiator actually existed.  To view a timeline of the Emperors of Rome and when they ruled click on the column below . . . When you reach the webpage, scroll down and see if the names Marcus Aurelius and Commodus appear in the list of emperors . . .

 

 

Now that we have discovered whether or not they in fact ruled Rome, let’s move onto our second activity, visiting another web site that reveals information about the time period 161-192 in Rome. Click on the column below to visit the next page.  When you arrive at this page scroll down to the bottom until you find the names: Marcus Aurelius and Commodus.  Write in your artbooks five facts about both of these emperors and click back to this web quest page to continue . . .

 

 

You should now be comfortable with the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus.  It is time to complete our third activity, reading a review of the accuracy of the movie Gladiator.  Click on the column below to visit the next page.  Once you have reached the next web page, read the section titled, “Is the film Gladiator a true story?”  Write two columns in your artbook; in the left column write the points that make it a true story and in the right column write the points that are different in real life from the movie.  Then pick either Marcus Aurelius or Commodus and read the text on them.  Write in your artbook five facts you find interesting about the relationship between the emperor and the film character.  Click back to this web quest page to continue when you are finished . . . 

 

 

You have now visited three web pages about roman emperors and the movie Gladiator.  Take your notes and complete the final part of this activity individually.  You need to decide if the movie Gladiator is a valid representation of roman civilization.  Write a paragraph stating your opinion and support your idea with specific facts from your notes from the three web sites you visited.

 

Evaluation:

For this project, you will be evaluated on your use of the web quest as a whole.  I will be reviewing each of your note sections as well as your concluding summary. I will be looking to see that you have made a judgment on the validity of the movie and collected substantial research to backup your decision.  I will also be looking to see that you incorporated your own original ideas with those of your group.  I hope you enjoyed the project and can better critique historical fiction movies in the future using your knew knowledge of Gladiator.

 

Resources:

http://www.roman-empire.net/diverse/chronicle-emps.html

http://www.roman-empire.net/highpoint/high-index.html

http://www.exovedate.com/the_real_gladiator_one.html

 

Rubric:

 

1-2 pts

3 pts

4 pts

5 pts

Notes on both emperors

You have five notes on both emperors

You have five notes on each of the two emperors

You have detailed notes on both of the two emperors

You have well thought out notes with personal cues on each of the two emperors

 

Two column notes

You have either a positive or negative category

You have both a positive and negative category

You have both categories and they make comparisons

You have both categories with personal and group notes that make comparisons

 

Five notes on one emperor

You have selected one emperor

You have five notes for one emperor

Your five notes are well developed

Your five notes are developed with personal cues and complete thoughts

 

Final stance paragraph

You have written a paragraph

In your paragraph you critique the validity of the movie

You critique and support your stance

You critique, support, and incorporate your personal opinion and your groups ideas in your stance

 

 

20-18 points is an A

17-16 points is a B

15-14 points is a C

13-12 points is a D

11-under is unsatisfactory 

 

Conclusion:

 This web quest is a good activity for students to learn about the roman civilization and the emperors.  It also provides students with a chance to explore, read, and write; these are often difficult processes to include in art class.  I related the topic to a present, popular movie to make their experience more authentic and interesting to the students.  I would use this activity in support of our roman lesson and believe the students would really enjoy it.