Station I: pompeii

Pliny the Elder (23-79 CE), a scholar, began his career by entering military service. However, he was also a writer, so it is for his works on natural history and science that he is known. At the time of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, he was the leader of the Roman navy that was near Pompeii. From there, Pliny had charge of the western Mediterranean. When he realized that Mt. Vesuvius posed a great danger, he turned the warships into rescue boats. Pliny the Elder died while trying to rescue people from the volcanic eruption.

1. 
   What it is Pliny the Younger’s writing mainly about?
   
2. 
   Why is Pliny the Younger’s account of what happened at Pompeii important for historians of ancient Rome?
   
3. 
   Why did Pliny the Younger feel that fear was stronger than hope?
   
4. 
   The answer to this question is not in the above reading. The Romans did not believe that the eruption of Mount Vesuvius happened because of scientific reasons but rather that it happened because of religious reasons (the Romans believed that the God of fire, Vulcan, was angry at them). Which sort of explanation for big historical events is more persuasive: religious or historical explanations? Explain.
   

Pompeii today

An excavated arena at Pompeii 

Many modern visitors see Pompeii as merely a collection of ruined buildings, and find it difficult to believe that in AD 79 the streets, houses, public buildings were full of life. They don't realize that many parts of the ancient town were uncovered more than two centuries ago, and that inadequate technology and debatable methods were used in the excavations, especially when the first works were carried out.

'Today the biggest danger for the old town is the increasing number of visitors ...'

They don't recognize what a miracle it is that buildings that were originally built to last for only a few decades, and that even on that basis would have required frequent upkeep, are still in existence - and able to tell us something of the life that was lived within them.

Today the biggest danger for the old town is the increasing number of visitors, who often do not understand that they are touching, creeping, walking along, an open air museum, which requires much respect and attention.

In Pompeii all is original: the tombs along the stone paved streets; the houses, with their frescoes - some with simple designs and gaudy colors, others more elegant and complex - which open onto shadowed arcades made precious by gardens in bloom and gushing fountains.

The workshops and the shops immediately suggest the busy and noisy life once so much in evidence along the streets, and the religious sanctuaries are awesome even today - with monumental columns still emphasizing the sacredness of the altars. The 'Forum', when it is crowded with people, also still reflects an image of previous times - perhaps the times of various elections, when different factions confronted each other in the square or under the large portico.

It is perhaps only in Pompeii, and the other towns buried by Vesuvius, that people of today can be in such direct contact with the ancient Roman world - it is for this reason that these places leave such an unforgettable memory on the minds of imaginative visitors.

1. 
   What is the biggest danger to Pompeii today?
   
2. 
   Should tourists be prevented from going to Pompeii?
   
3. 
   Some people say that tourists only go to Pompeii because they only want to learn about the misfortune of others to distract them from the problems in their own lives. Do you think this is true? Would you want to travel to Pompeii at some point in the future? Why/Why not?
   

Directions: Match the root words (green paper) with their meanings (pink paper). Once you have all the words matched, show Mrs. B. If you are correct, read pg. 342-344 in your textbook. On your own paper, brainstorm at least 2 words that we use today that have a Greek or Latin root word in it and what it means. (example: autobiography means to write a story about yourself. You can’t use this example.) You must complete 18 of the 25 words given.

Directions: Answer questions 1 and 2 on your own paper based on the picture. Then read the passages about Roman Gladiators and answer questions 3, 4, and 5. On the same paper, complete the “TAKE A STAND” activities (Perspectives 1, 2, and 3).

1. Examine this picture. What is happening? How does it show what Roman life is like? How would this picture support the following claim that Romans were blood-thirsty?

The Romans liked watching other people die. They thought that was fun, like maybe you think going to horror movies or playing violent video games is fun. They also believed that their gods liked gladiatorial fights, so that going to the fights was a sort of religious experience as well as being fun. Many Roman people went to big amphitheaters (like our football stadiums today) to see professionals fight (like boxers today).

You went early in the morning, and paid for your ticket, and sat in your seat. Sometimes all the seats were free, if a wealthy Roman had given money to pay for the show. Other times, you had to pay, and it cost more money for the good seats than for the bad seats, so the poor people had to sit way up top where it was hard to see.


Amphitheater of El Djem, in Tunisia
(North Africa) (the second biggest in the Roman Empire, after the Colosseum in Rome)

First men in armor came out and fought against wild animals, like bears or bulls or alligators or ostriches or lions or tigers. They captured the animals in faraway places and brought them to the stadiums specially. Then the Romans treated the animals badly to make them hungry and mean so they would fight. Usually the men killed the animals, but sometimes the animals killed the men, which everyone thought was very exciting. You can still see this kind of fighting today in bullfights in Spain or Mexico.

Around lunchtime there would be a break, and people would eat their lunches. Some people brought picnics with them: bread and cheese and vegetables mostly. Other people bought food from the vendors who were walking around the stadium selling wine and water and stuffed pastries. While people were eating lunch, in their seats, there would be a half-time show that sometimes had singers or dancers or a little play, or sometimes had criminals being killed. Sometimes the criminals were just brought out and had their heads cut off or were stabbed, but other times they were tied to posts and the bears came and attacked them, or they were pushed off a high tower, or something "creative" like that. Because the gods loved to see justice done, they also liked to see criminals being killed.

After lunch sometimes there was another show, where men fought men. In big cities, these fights were to the death. In smaller towns, probably the men usually just fought until someone was hurt, though sometimes men did get killed. The men who were fighting were often, though not always, slaves.

2. Which modern sport were gladiator fights most like? Football? Wrestling? Baseball? Something else? You have to do your own thinking for this question. Explain your answer well.

3. If gladiator games existed today, do you think that people would want to go to them? Would people be bloodthirsty and want to go? Or would people be outraged and decide not to go? Explain your answer.

4. Gladiator games distracted Romans from the Punic Wars (fighting Hannibal). What do professional sports distract people from today? Be specific and thoughtful...

Take a Stand

Write the number that corresponds to how much you agree or disagree with the following perspectives about the similarities and differences between ancient Roman blood sports and modern sports in the United States.

Perspective # I

The fans of modern sports in the United States are as poorly behaved, bloodthirsty, and destructive as the spectators of ancient Roman gladiatorial games.

(Strongly Agree) I II III IV V (Strongly Disagree)

Explanation:

Perspective # II

Modern Americans like to believe that they are better than the ancient Romans, but in reality, they are just as unethical (evil). If, suddenly, on television, a show with actual deadly gladiator fights came on, modern Americans would watch it because they are just as bloodthirsty as the ancient Romans.

(Strongly Agree) I II III IV V (Strongly Disagree)

Explanation:

Perspective # III

Read the article below about Michael Vick from the New York Times. Then explain whether or not you agree with the perspective at the end.

Michael Vick was the star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons until his career was derailed by his involvement in a dog-fighting ring.

Mr. Vick, a first-round draft pick after a standout career at Virginia Tech, became the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons in 2002 and has been named to the Pro Bowl three times.

On the field, he was known for his mobility and exciting style of play. But in the spring of 2007, he became the center of a different kind of attention: a search of a property owned by Mr. Vick in Surry, Va., turned up 54 pit bulls, and a later search found graves of other dogs said to have been killed during fights by members of a group called Bad Newz Kennels. On July 18, 2007, Mr. Vick and three other men were indicted on federal felony charges. The indictment charged that Mr. Vick had sponsored illegal dog fighting, gambled on dog fights and permitted acts of cruelty against animals on his property.

On Aug. 20th, after two co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against him, Mr. Vick accepted a plea offer from prosecutors, the judge in the case said. The National Football League promptly suspended him. In Dec. 2007, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison, more than his co-defendants in the case — and also more than the 12 to 18 months prosecutors originally suggested, as part of Vick’s plea agreement.

Almost a year later, on Nov. 25, 2008, Vick appeared in court again, this time in Surry County Circuit Court in Virginia to plead guilty to state dog fighting charges. He received a three-year suspended sentence. It was a necessary step to make him eligible for early release from prison. He's scheduled for release on July 20, 2009, and will serve three years of probation, but federal law prohibits prisoners from being released to a halfway house if there are unresolved charges pending against them.

(Updated Nov. 25, 2008)

Michael Vick is no better than the worst of the ancient Romans. The ancient Romans cruelly forced animals to fight each other to the death and Michael Vick did the exact same crime. Michael Vick deserves to be in jail and kicked out of the NFL, because he is no better than the unethical Romans. Have humans become any more ethical in the 2,000 years since ancient Roman times?

Directions: On your own paper, copy the guidelines for converting Roman Numerals. Try to complete all 16 problems and fill in all blanks. Talk it out in your group, but if you are struggling, ask Mrs. B. for help.

Only four little rules to remember…

1. 
   You can’t put more than 3 of the same symbols together.
   
2. 
   Smaller number that comes before a larger one means subtraction.
   
3. 
   Larger number that comes before a smaller one means addition.
   
4. 
   PLACE VALUE MEANS EVERYTHING!!! (Remember Egyptian numbers…)
   

II=Two XXX=_______

III=Three XL=40

IV=Four L=______

V=Five C=100

_____=Six D=500

_____=Seven M=1000

VIII=Eight (Lucky Cows Drink Milk)

IX=Nine

____=10

1. 
   XIII= _________ 5. XXXII=__________
   
2. 
   LVI=________ 6. CCXXIX=_________
   
3. 
   CMXXXI=_________ 7. MMMDCCCLXXXVIII=__________
   
4. 
   MMXIV=__________ 8. MCMXCIX=______________
   

9. 222=____________________ 13. 2000=______________________

10. 777=__________________ 14. 1606=______________________

11. 555=__________________ 15. 17=________________________

12. 999=__________________ 16. 811=_______________________

Now write 10 problems on your own and give to your partner to solve.

Directions: Describe what each of the different Gladiators are like. Describe what they are wearing, weapons they are using, etc. Then answer the question about the Colosseum.

And now, for the day’s events:

WARM-UP FIGHT
First you'll fight with wooden swords in a practice duel.

GAMBLING
Spectators will gamble on whether you will win your fight …or not.

OPPONENT
You will be drawn to fight against another gladiator. Your trainer will encourage you, shouting words of advice — and threats. His reputation will be damaged if you don't put up a good fight.

Bad luck! In your contest you were drawn to fight a retarius, a gladiator who catches opponents in his net before moving in for the final kill.

As you lie on the sandy floor of the arena, he brings his dagger to your throat. You must think fast – you may have only seconds to live. There’s only one thing you can do: appeal to the emperor.

It seems the crowd showed you no mercy and the retarius was the winner of the contest. While your body is dragged from the arena, the victorious gladiator is presented with his prizes.

FINISHED OFF
Dying gladiators are killed by a man dressed as the mythical character Charon.

DRAGGED AWAY

CLEANERS
Boys rake the sand over to remove all signs of blood.