Roman Gladiator Webquest

Student Objectives  Understand the lives of Roman gladiators  Use research skills to find information  Communicate knowledge through writing journal entry

Introduction

It is the 1st century BC and Rome is in its glory! The army has returned with many prisoners, including you. Your spouse was left behind. All of the prisoners were sold. Some became slaves and some were sent to gladiator school for training. Where will you end up?

The emperor has decided to reward the public by declaring a holiday to hold gladiator combat games in the Colosseum. The emperor will be there, as well as many spectators, gladiators, and their owners. Can you imagine what it will be like?

You've been SOLD! Luckily for you, your new owner wants to send you to ludus gladitorius (gladiator school). He is a "kind" owner and will allow you to select which type of gladiator you would like to become. Will you be a Myrmillo, a Thracian, a Retarius, an Essedarius, a Samnite, a Secutor, or an Oplomachus? You may choose your role. Make a wise choice as your weapons and skill will determine if you live or die.

Your owner wants a presentation on the type of gladiator you want to be. What weapons will he need to buy for you?

You are told that someday you may win your way to freedom. What will you tell your family if you return home? Write a journal of your experience as a gladiator. Activity 1. To get you started, read this web book You Wouldn't Want to be a Gladiator

2. Use the websites listed under this to assist you.

 Intro to Gladiators

 Link to many topics

 The Colosseum

 10 Things you might not know about gladiators Video

 Dress to Kill Game

 Types of Gladiators

 Life of Gladiators

 Gladiator Training https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTX3vm_rhvs Write a journal entry on each of your experiences as a gladiator: You can write it on a piece of paper or type it in a new word document.

Remember a journal entry should be written in the first person and dated at the top of each entry. You should begin each entry with DEAR JOURNAL.

1. How were you captured? Where were you captured? What did it feel like to be captured?

2. What was the journey like to Rome? Were you treated well? Was it long? How did you feel about being sold?

3. What was the gladiator school like? Who else was there? Did everyone speak the same language?

4. What type of gladiator did you become? What did you wear? What was your fight like?

5. Describe the sensation of fighting in the Colosseum - the crowd, the emperor, the noise!