 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Latin Web Resources Yahoo! - www.yahoo.com Altavista - www.altavista.com Ask jeeves www.askjeeves.com
Ask Jeeves is a search engine that allows you to ask questions in regular syntax, rather than use keywords. Some websites that provide good general information covering slavery, dress, transport/roads: The illustrated
history of the Roman empire |
 |
|
EXPLORANDA CLASSICAL STUDIES ROADS & TRAVEL End of SHORT COURSE 2, UNIT 1.
The Roman believed that their first king, Romulus, had been carried up into heaven on his death and that he had been made into a god. They also believed that he had sent them a message saying that they must learn the art of war in order to make ROME the capital of the world. As they set about to fulfil their destiny as world conquerors, it did not take them long to identify the need for roads to allow the army swift access to new territories and, of course, to Rome. Thus it was the army with its skilled engineers who were responsible for establishing the road network which is still widely used today. There can be little doubt that the development of roads contributed greatly to the spread of knowledge and civilisation. The discovery of the Peutinger map, thought to be a copy of a much earlier Roman map, confirms the existence of amazingly accurate maps dating to Roman times. While many writers refer to their travels, there are few travel books. Could this be because travel was too dangerous to undertake for pleasure? Or perhaps such books were not popular. Or it may be that only the works of a few travellers like Pausanias have survived to tell their tales. Or there may be some other reason. What is your opinion? Read the information about travel in ER2, pp16-19 and p24. To find out more refer to, Books:Oxford Classical Dictionary Internet
EXPLORANDA End of Short Course 2, Unit 2. You have been reading some well known stories including: 1.SHORT LATIN STORIES p18, story 12, Portia and the Three Caskets. 2.SHORT LATIN STORIES p22, story 15, A Citizen of Syracuse Learns the Meaning of the Word Suspense. 3.SHORT LATIN STORIES p26, story 20, Helen of Troy or Helen of Egypt. There are many more famous stories to come but this may be a good time to pause and explore classical myths and their legacy to future generations. Down through the ages writers, painters and composers have found inspiration in Greek and Roman history, legend and literature. Let’s look further at: 1.Portia and the Three Caskets. In SHORT LATIN STORIES the English heading for this story states that Shakespeare used the plot in his play called The Merchant of Venice. Other examples from Shakespeare include Julius Caesar, Anthony and Cleopatra, Pyramus and Thisbe. Can you find any other examples from Shakespeare? 2.Why don’t you "play detective" and look for examples in other works? Here are some "leads" to follow: a)The musical My Fair Lady has links with a Roman writer and more recently with an English playwright. Who were they? What is the story about? b)Illustrations of The Trojan Horse and The Fall of Icarus have been used both in advertising and in cartoons. Try to find paintings of these by artists of different times. Which paintings do you like best and why? 3.A Citizen of Syracuse Learns the Meaning of the Word Suspense. This story remains well known today. What would be meant if one claimed to be in a Damoclean situation? Would you wish to be in such a situation yourself? 4.See if you can find the meaning of the expression "the bed of Procrustes"? In the event of difficulty there is a story about Procrustes in SHORT LATIN STORIES!
EXPLORANDA In Story 7 The Deification of Romulus, and in Story 31, The Abduction of the Sabine Women, you have read a little about the very early days of Rome. The early history of Rome makes fascinating reading. The question must always be asked how much is credible and how much is wishful thinking. New interpretations of history, even ancient history, are still possible. Indeed 10 years ago it was not supposed that climatic changes and great plagues could be linked, nor was it thought that these could have been instrumental in the decline and fall of Roman supremacy. Whatever the truth, Roman children were all familiar with the inspirational tales told by the Romans about the Romans. These tales were an important part of Roman heritage for a people strongly influenced by "mos maiorum" the custom of their ancestors. The Romans showed themselves in the best possible light, displaying the qualities most admired, courage, loyalty, determination, dignity and a total dedication to duty. To find out more........ Books The
First Man in Rome - Colleen McCoullough part of an exciting series of books by this author.
Internet |
