Ancient Civilizations are typically taught focusing on the key areas of: Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics, Economy and Social Structure using the acronym G.R.A.P.E.S. By utilizing this acronym, students can compartmentalize their findings and compare and contrast different civilizations.
Ancient Rome was a kingdom, then a republic, and finally an empire that lasted from 753 BCE to about 476 CE, over a thousand years! Although their ideas and innovations in art, architecture, engineering, and politics were two thousand years ago, their legacy is seen all around and still influences us today.
Using G.R.A.P.E.S. Charts is helpful in categorizing important information when learning about Ancient Civilizations. It stands for:
G: Geography (Location, Physical Features, Climate, Natural Resources)
R: Religion
A: Achievements (Art, Architecture, Inventions, Writing)
P: Politics (Government)
E: Economy (Jobs)
S: Social Structure (hierarchy of power, roles of men, women and children)
This G.R.A.P.E.S. Chart is for Ancient Rome. An extension would be to do a separate chart for each category to expand on the information.
Storyboard Text
ANCIENT ROME
GEOGRAPHY
G
Rome
RELIGION
R
ACHIEVEMENTS
A
POLITICS
P
Magistrates
ECONOMY
E
SOCIAL STRUCTURES
S
PATRICIANS
PLEBEIANS
Ancient Rome was located in central Italy. It had a mild climate, the Tiber River, the Mediterranean Sea, mountains, and hills. At its height, the Roman Empire stretched from England to the Middle East and northern Africa.
Ancient Romans practiced polytheism meaning that they believed in many gods and goddesses. Their beliefs were derived from the ancient Greeks but the names were changed from ancient Greek to Latin.
I'm Jupiter (Zeus to the Greeks)! I am the king of the gods, god of thunder and lightning, and the patron god of Rome.
Romans made great contributions in art, architecture, and inventions. They created lifelike sculptures, and used concrete in huge buildings, sturdy roads, and aqueducts. They excelled in writing poetry, plays, and also wrote down laws.
Assemblies
Rome was first a kingdom, then a republic divided into three branches: Assemblies, Senate, Magistrates. Each branch had its own powers and could “check and balance” each other. After 450 years, Rome became an empire ruled by an emperor.
The Senate
Rome's economy was mainly agrarian. Wealthy Romans owned large farms worked by poor Romans or enslaved people. There were also artisans, craftsmen, merchants, traders, politicians, and soldiers. Enslaved people worked a variety of jobs, both skilled and manual labor.
ENSLAVED PEOPLE
Rome was a divided society. Patricians were the wealthy noblemen and Plebeians were the majority working class. Both were citizens with a voice in government, unlike enslaved people and women.