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3274 Myths and Legends of Ancient Rome

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3274 Myths and Legends of Ancient Rome MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF ANCIENT ROME CFE 3274V OPEN CAPTIONED UNITED LEARNING INC. 1996 Grade Levels: 6-10 20 minutes 1 Instructional Graphic Enclosed DESCRIPTION Explores the legend of Romulus and Remus, twin boys who founded Rome on seven hills. Briefly relates how Perseus, son of Jupiter, used his shield as a mirror to safely slay Medusa, a monster who turned anyone who looked on her to stone. Recounts the story of Psyche and Cupid, a story of broken promises and forgiveness. Each legend ends with discussion questions. Animated. INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS · To depict three Roman myths. · To enhance a unit on Roman mythology. · To show how the Romans explained natural phenomena and human behavior. · To show that human nature remains the same throughout the ages. BEFORE SHOWING 1. Read the CAPTION SCRIPT to determine unfamiliar vocabulary and language concepts. 2. Discuss the concept of myths: a. As a way of explaining and rationalizing natural phenomena. b. As stories of the heroic deeds and adventures of mortals with semidivine parentage. c. As stories of a large family of quarrelsome gods and goddesses. 3. Explain that the video shows three different Roman myths. a. Using a time line, explain that Roman mythology appeared after Greek mythology. b. Display a list of gods and goddesses and their Roman and Greek names. c. Explain there are many variations of the same myths. 4. Display a family tree of the Roman gods and goddesses. 1 a. Include pictures of monsters such as Medusa and Cerberus. b. Refer to the tree as characters appear in the video. 5. On a world map, locate Rome. Briefly discuss its history, culture, and religion. Include a picture of the she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus. DURING SHOWING View the video more than once, with one showing uninterrupted. Romulus and Remus 1. Point out the brothers’ lack of table manners. Discuss. 2. Point out the elderly and exiled Numitor as the once young king in the beginning of the video. 3. Pause to emphasize Numitor’s immediate recognition of his grandsons. Perseus and Medusa 1. Pause to emphasize that men have become statues by looking at Medusa. 2. Point out how the men cover their faces as Medusa approaches. 3. Pause as Minerva’s shield guides Perseus inside the cavern. Demonstrate with a mirror. 4. Pause to discuss the reasons Perseus used his cloak to cover the shield containing the reflection of Medusa’s face. 5. Pause as Perseus rescues Andromeda and discuss human sacrifice. Psyche and Cupid 1. Pause after the oracle’s prediction of Psyche’s marriage to the most terrible of monsters and her willingness to proceed. Share personal reactions. 2. Pause as Psyche approaches the castle and hears voices from faceless servants. Quickly generate descriptions of them. 2 3. Pause as the mysterious stranger enters Psyche’s bedroom. Quickly generate possible descriptions of him. Compare them after Psyche discovers his identity. 4. Pause as Psyche visits Venus, her mother-in-law. Emphasize it was she who ordered the curse on Psyche. 5. Pause as Psyche enters Hades. Emphasize Cupid’s promise and power of protection. AFTER SHOWING Discussion Items and Questions Romulus and Remus 1. Summarize Prince Amulius’ plan of claiming the throne. 2. Describe life with the wolves and its impact on Romulus and Remus. 3. Describe the twins’ life with Faustulus and his wife. 4. Sequence the events that led to the dethroning of the evil uncle. 5. Summarize the commemorative building of the city. a. Compare the responsibilities of each brother. b. Discuss the power struggle over naming the city. 6. Debate the justification of Romulus’ deification after death. Perseus and Medusa 1. Discuss Minerva’s jealousy of Medusa and her vengeful actions. Draw conclusions about her reasons for cursing Medusa instead of Neptune. 2. Describe Medusa’s life as a gorgon. 3. Justify Perseus’ slaying of Medusa. Debate whether she deserved death, especially when the curse was imposed on her. Psyche and Cupid 1. Discuss the dynamics of Psyche’s family. 3 2. Discuss Venus’ jealousy of Psyche’s and Cupid’s change of heart. 3. Discuss Psyche’s willingness to fullfill the oracle’s prediction. 4. Summarize Psyche’s experiences at the castle and discuss: a. Loving and never seeing a person’s face. b. Making, keeping, and breaking vows. c. Forgiving and making amends. 5. With love as his guide, Cupid found and rescued Psyche from a deep sleep. Discuss other stories with similar events. Applications and Activities 1. Fill out the myth chart after viewing and discussing each myth. (See INSTRUCTIONAL GRAPHICS.) 2. Mythology was a way to explain the unexplainable. Create myths about animal behaviors, causes of deafness, and reasons for weather patterns. 3. Identify elements that make these stories myths. 4. Read other myths and fill out a chart with the following categories: a. Hero b. Weapon or talisman c. Circumstances of birth d. Prophecy e. Tutor-mentor f. Infancy g. Boyhood and youth h. Initiation i. Tasks and trials j. Journey k. Strengths l. Weaknesses m. Death 5. Dramatize each myth in American Sign Language. Originate name signs for characters. Refer to The Book of Name Signs by Sam Supalla. 4 6. Research and use the preferred signs for Rome and Italy. Some resources on international signs are: a. Sandager, O.K. (ed.), Sign Languages Around the World, O.K. Publishing, CA, 1986. b. Selected Signs Around the World (video), Sign Media, Inc., Burtonsville, MD. c. Countries Around the World (video), Sign Media, Inc., Burtonsville, MD. 7. Demonstrate these techniques when signing the myths: a. Using classifiers for characters. b. Assigning specific areas in space for characters. c. Becoming the character and role-playing. Romulus and Remus 1. Work in pairs to compromise on a team name by combining individual suggestions. 2. Role-play ways of resolving disputes other than fighting. 3. Read other myths with similar themes in which banished mortals grow up and return to triumph over wicked rulers. 4. Write myths about name origins of local cities. Perseus and Medusa 1. Read other myths about Perseus’ adventures. 2. Medusa was one of the gorgons. Research and report on these and other monsters. Include artwork. 3. Medusa’s head continued to plague mortals even after her death. Read other myths about her. 4. Research and report on making sacrifices. Psyche and Cupid 1. Cupid was mischievous and often made the most unsuitable matches. Read these myths. 2. Research the meaning of psyche and its association with psychology. 3. Research and report on the common association of Cupid with Valentine’s Day. 5 4. Psyche and Cupid communicated in the dark. Discuss ways deaf people communicate in the dark: a. Trace letters on palm or back. b. Use flashlights. c. Huddle under streetlights. d. Use tactile signs. 5. Proserpine was the wife of Pluto and lived part of the year in the underworld. Read about her and her mother, Ceres. 6. Compare Psyche with Pandora. INSTRUCTIONAL GRAPHICS One instructional graphic is included with this lesson guide. It may be enlarged and used to create transparencies or copies. · MYTHS WE HAVE STUDIED WEBSITES Explore the Internet to discover sites related to this topic. Check the CFV website for related information (http://www.cfv.org). 6 CAPTION SCRIPT Following are the captions as they appear on the video. Teachers are encouraged to read the script prior to viewing the video for pertinent vocabulary, to discover language patterns within the captions, or to determine content for introduction or review. Enlarged copies may be given to students as a language exercise. (female narrator) to drown the newborns Long ago, in the Tiber River. in the kingdom of Latium, That very night, the good King Numitor, the two men crept into the room known for his wisdom where the twins lay sleeping; and generosity, and once there, was dethroned began to carry out by his evil brother, their terrible mission. Prince Amulius. [rushing water] At the same time, [splash] Amulius banished Numitor's daughter, The next morning, the servants told Amulius the beautiful Princess Sylvia that Romulus and Remus to the temple of Mars, were dead. the god of war. But, in fact, There, she would they were not. never have sons The twins' cradle who might reclaim the throne. bobbed and dipped His plan didn't work in the rushing waters. as expected. It did not overturn Sylvia married Mars, as expected-- and somewhat later, nor did it sink. the couple had twin sons they named Romulus and Remus. Instead, Shortly thereafter, the news the cradle eventually came of their birth reached Amulius, to rest in a clump of rushes. who immediately ordered After awhile, two servants the babies awakened 7 and began to cry he came to take from cold and hunger. the youngsters home. Now, as it happened, Faustulus and his wife cared for the twins a she-wolf was nearby and heard the newborns' cries. as if they were their own. She was curious At first, the boys found it difficult to eat as humans. and went to investigate. In time, Romulus and Remus The animal was puzzled grew strong and handsome. by these tiny humans Even so, they never completely but sensed their despair. lost all their wolflike ways. Although she feared people, They helped Faustulus with his herding. her motherly instincts overcame her When they weren't in the pastures, and she carried them to her cave, the twins ambushed thieves where she reared them who had stolen as her own. livestock and food. As the months passed, Then, they returned the stolen goods Romulus and Remus grew strong and healthy.
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