The Gladiator - Russel Crowe walking among the Roman legion
Debating Whether Military Expansion Helped or Hurt Rome

Assignment to hand in: Questions on your Roman Historical Figure & Roman Military Expansion Historical Figure Graphic Organizer [Word Version] & Comprehension Questions (at end)

Introduction: The map below show the expansion of the Roman Republic in the 1st Century B.C.E. These territories were acquired during the Punic Wars and the conquest of the East. These conquests produced political, social, and economic changes in Rome that benefitted some citizens and hurt others. The goal of this assignment is for you to determine which one. Follow the directions below to answer the Focus Question: Did the expansion of the Roman Republic help or hurt Rome?

Roman Republic Map - 1st Century B.C.E. The Roman Republic circa First Century B.C.E.

Step 1: Researching Historical Figure - Choose one of the Roman Historical Figures below. Read and answer the questions in the Information Handout that applies to your Historical Figure.

Step 2: Graphic Organizer Notes - Read each of the Information Handouts on the Roman Historical Figures below and complete the Roman Military Expansion Historical Figure Graphic Organizer [Word Version].

Historical Figures on Roman Military Expansion:

Marcus CiceroMarcus Cicero [ Informational Handout on Marcus Cicero]

FulviaFulvia [Informational Handout on Fulvia]

Gaius Gracchus Giaus Gracchus [Informational Handout on Giaus Gracchus]

Hortensia Hortensia [Informational Handout on Hortensia]

Julius Caesar Juluis Caesar [Informational Handout on Julius Caesar]

Sallust Sallust [Informational Handout on Sallust]

Spartacus Spartacus [Informational Handout on Spartacus]

Tiberius Gracchus Tiberius Gracchus [Informational Handout on Tiberius Gracchus]

Step 3: Comprehension Questions - Answer these questions citing information in the content above.

1. How did expansion of the Roman Republic affect people's lives?

2. Which historical figure(s) believed most strongly that the military expansion of the Roman Republic helped Rome? Why?

3. Which historical figure(s) believed most strongly that the military expansion of the Roman Republic hurt Rome? Why?

4. How might the military expansion of the Roman Republic have led to the rise of Roman dictators?

5. Why is it important to analyze a variety of perspectives when studying an event like the expansion of the Roman Republic?

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