Should Caesar Be Saved?

You have been transported back in time to March 44 B.C. to the Roman Republic. A plot to assassinate Gaius Julius Caesar -- the great Roman statesman, rhetorician, and military hero -- is set to be carried out on March 15. Standing among the senators and those conspiring against Caesar, you have the power to speak up. Should Caesar be saved or should he be condemned to death? It's your choice.
 

The Task:
 

After gathering as much information as you possibly can on Gaius Julius Caesar, you will compose and deliver a speech before your fellow senators (classmates) either in support or in opposition to Caesar.
 

The Process:
 

1. Students will be divided into groups of 4.

2. Each student will read about Caesar from the following resources:

www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/88114/Julius-Caesar

encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761578066/Julius_Caesar.html#461577345

www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Julius-Caesar#Life

www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Julius_Caesar.aspx

3. The group of 4 students must choose a side: 2 students must support Caesar and 2 students must be against Caesar.

4. Return to the articles and take notes on anything you might want to include in your speech. Options include, but are not limited to: family history, personal character/personality, positions held, military accomplishments, awards, and reforms. The notes are to be organized either in a list, chart/table, or web diagram. You may take notes individually or with the help of your partner.

5. Using you notes and working with your partner, formally write your speech in support or in opposition to Caesar.

• Your speech must have an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Introduction: Clearly state your position/argument (either for or against Caesar). Have a strong interest catcher.
• Conclusion: Have a strong conclusion that would make your audience remember your speech and want to support your argument.
• Make sure there are no mistakes in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.

7. Each pair of students will recite their speech in front of the class.

• Gain and maintain the interest of your audience.
• Incorporate a visual or prop into your speech.
  

Conclusion:
 

By the end of the WebQuest, students will have a better understanding of who Julius Caesar was and the controversy that surrounded him. They will read about Julius Caesar from four different sources, each which give their own impression about what Caesar was like as a person. Students will be able to formulate their own opinions using facts to either support of be against Caesar. Students will gain experience in written composition and oral speaking by delivering their speech to the class.
 

Credits & References:
 

Students used the following resouces to gather information about Julius Caesar:

"Julius Caesar." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 31 March 2009 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/88114/Julius-Caesar]>.

Arnold Joseph Toynbeealso contributed to the article found on Encyclopaedia Britannica. He is the Director of Studies, Royal Institute of International Affairs, London, 1925–55. Research Professor of International History, University of London, 1925–55. Author of A Study of History and many others.

"Julius Caesar," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008. http://encarta.msn.comencyclopedia_761578066_3/Julius_Caesar.html]> © 1997-2008 Microsoft Corporation.

This article is contributed by Michael S. Cheilik, M.A., Ph.D. Associate Professor of History, Lehman College of the City University of New York. Author of Ancient History: From Its Beginnings to the Fall of Rome.

http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Julius-Caesar#References

"Julius Caesar." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 31 March. 2009 http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Julius_Caesar.aspx]>.
 

Standards:
 

Required Attachments:
 

tKeLydXjEDM300WebquestRubric.doc