The Artios Home Companion Series

L i t e r a t u r e a n d Composition

Units 21 - 24: Historical Fiction: Mystery Eagle of the Ninth by ' Literature for Units 21 - 24

– "a place where two worlds met without mingling" as she describes the British town to which Marcus, the novel's central character, is posted. Sutcliff was born in , England in 1920 and died 72 years later in West , England. She was the daughter of an officer in the , so her life included moving to many different places. While this life created a lot of great memories, it also brought many challenges as Sutcliff had a painful form of juvenile arthritis. Her mother read to her, sharing the Celtic and Saxon legends, as well as the tales of Rudyard Kipling. Sutcliff did not learn to read herself until she was nine years old. She entered Art School and graduated three years later. She would become a professional painter of miniatures before she began writing in 1946. During her professional life she was a member of Author’s Spotlight the Royal Society of Miniature Painters. Not only did Sutcliff write over 60 Rosemary Sutcliff's 1954 children's children’s books and win several prestigious classic (still in print awards, she also wrote historical novels, more than 60 years later) is the first of a short stories, and scripts for radio and series of novels in which Sutcliff, who died television. in 1992, explored the cultural borderlands The Eagle of the Ninth is still her best- between the Roman and the British worlds known work.

Unit 21 – Assignments

 Read Unit 21 – Assignment Background.  Read Chapters 1-7 of Eagle of the Ninth.

Ancient: Middle School Unit 21 - 24 : Literature and Composition Page 429 Activity While Reading: Define the vocabulary words below in your reading journal. Be sure to use complete sentences and check for correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. In the next few units, you will be learning about the Roman world – particularly the world of the Roman Soldier. As you read Eagle of the Ninth, write down observations and questions about life as a Roman soldier.

Vocabulary Words sodden druid gladiator vague ramparts

Unit 21 – Assignment Background As you read this novel and learn about not allowed to have families at the camp as the military life, consider what was so the officers did. important about the Roman Army. When it Soldiers had very little privacy, sleeping came to the Roman Army in Britain, the eight to a tent on the march, more in camp strong military presence was crucial to barracks. When these soldiers from controlling the “barbarians.” In fact, Mediterranean lands were sent to Britain, himself was so determined to they discovered the weather was cold. There maintain that control that he built a wall to are “letters” in British museums that show regulate access to . soldiers often wrote home requesting socks. (Does this sound familiar? Can you think (Socks….to wear with their military-issue of other armies that built walls to control sandals….?) access?) Starting with the military structure chart Being a Roman soldier was a lifetime at www.ArtiosHCS.com, research the commitment. After enlisting at 18 (some life of a Roman soldier. Who could enlist? sources say 20), a soldier was committed to How long did they train? How were they military life for 25 years. Only officers could disciplined? How does their structure get married. Archeologists and historians compare to today’s military? have found evidence that many soldiers had As you learn about their system, think “unofficial” families nearby, but they were about what in it might have led to the eventual fall of the .

Unit 22 – Assignments

 Read Unit 22 – Assignment Background. (What makes someone a hero?)  Read Chapters 8-13 of Eagle of the Ninth. Activity While Reading: Define the vocabulary words below in your reading journal. Be sure to use complete sentences and check for correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Vocabulary Words obeisance gratuity sesterce chit deliberate

Ancient: Middle School Unit 21 - 24 : Literature and Composition Page 430 Unit 22 – Assignment Background While you are studying the life of actions make that person a hero? Is heroism military commitment to Rome, think about the same thing as courage? How? Marcus’s actions. Is he foolish or heroic? He Read through Romans 12 and James 1. does show great courage, but is that What do these Scriptures say about what enough? What are the actions of a true makes a hero? Look for Scriptures that hero? describe the person you have identified as a Think about a person you consider a hero. hero. This should be someone you admire Be prepared to talk about this hero and greatly. It could be someone in our world whether or not you would be able to act the today or someone from long ago. What same way this hero has.

Unit 23 – Assignments

 Read Unit 23 – Assignment Background. (Are all heroes the same?)  Read Chapters 14-19 of Eagle of the Ninth.  Read Hebrews 11. Activity While Reading: Define the vocabulary words below in your reading journal. Be sure to use complete sentences and check for correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Vocabulary Words barrow fringe menace dun quarry

 Write in your journal about people that could be viewed as unexpected heroes.

Unit 23 – Assignment Background The writers of Hebrews and Philippians Maybe you know someone, like the both list some people that they consider to author of The Eagle of the Ninth that has be heroic. List those people in your journal had a terrible illness for his or her entire life. and research the scriptures to learn more of What are some ways they cope? their heroism. What actions do you think As the story progresses, Cub becomes made them heroic? more important. Is he heroic? Can animals In our story, Marcus, who has been be heroes? strong, independent, and healthy, is stuck at Be prepared to discuss unusual heroes. his uncle’s house for a while recovering Take good notes in your journal about from his injuries. Think about someone you heroic acts in Eagle, and heroic acts in the know that was injured or became seriously lives of those around you. ill. In what ways did that person act heroically?

Modern: Middle School Unit 21 - 24: Literature and Composition Page 431 Unit 24 – Assignments

 Read Unit 24 – Assignment Details.  Read Chapters 20-21 of Eagle of the Ninth. Activity While Reading: Define the vocabulary words below in your reading journal. Be sure to use complete sentences and check for correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

Vocabulary Words colonnade manumission counterbalance imperious pathetic aromatic

 Prepare a short speech one of the characters in this story might give.

Unit 24 – Assignment Background Imagine you are one of the main characters in this story. Prepare a speech introducing yourself to an audience. What are some things you would share about your background? What are some things that you feel you need to explain to this audience? Write a speech that is about 3 to 7 minutes long. If you have the opportunity, present this speech to a group. What costumes or props might help you get more “Into character” for this speech?

Sections of Hadrian's Wall remain along the route, though much has been dismantled over the years to use the stones for various nearby construction projects.

Ancient: Middle School Unit 24: A Reason to Worship Page 432