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PLEASE NOTE: This hit class has been running for more than 1 year. If you would like to find this week’s topic, please scroll to the bottom of the list. 

This course will cover Ancient Roman history and culture in an interesting and engaging format that encourages interaction and questions.  Students will meet for a live meeting once a week for instruction and discussion.  Let's learn about Julius Caesar, the Wars with Carthage, how Rome changed from Republic to an Empire, and how it then almost conquered the ancient world . This will be a fun and interesting journey back to ancient Rome.

It is not required to have taken any of the previous classes in order to participate.

Due to the fact that this is ongoing course, students who are already taking World History, Ancient History, or Ancient Roman History or Mythology can enroll for additional support and practice. Homeschooled students can enroll for a complete Ancient Roman history curriculum. Students are charged weekly and can enroll or unenroll at any time. 

Students will meet once a week for a live lesson.

It is not required to have taken any of the previous classes in order to participate. 

Students may join the class during any week, because each week we will be exploring a completely different topic from Ancient Rome, it is not required to have participated in any previous class in order to join in the current week's discussion. 

Week of August 1: Romulus and Remus.  The history of Rome is a history of conflict. Romulus and Remus, the twin sons of the Roman god of war, Mars, are believed to be the founders of the ancient city of Rome. What is their traditional story?  Most people don’t know that Rome began as a monarchy. What happened to this line of kings? What caused the Romans to overthrow their kings and replace the government with a republic? We will explore the Roman kings and the Roman kingdom and explore the art and literature that surrounds the dramatic end to the Roman kings.

Week of August 8: Mars, the God of War and his mythology. How does Mars differ from the Greek god of war, Ares? What role does Mars play in ancient Roman society.  We will look at the new archaeological discoveries at the ruins of the Temple of Mars in the Roman Forum. We'll learn about the importance of the role of both this temple and the Roman god, Mars, played in so much of Roman culture and politics.

Week of August 15:  Roman military for the win! Weapons of war and engineering were some of the secrets to the military success of the Roman army and we will see a few of my favorites.

Week of August 22: Time to conquer! The Romans become stronger and begin to expand their empire across the Mediterranean. They secure all of Italy and begin to look towards expanding further- creating an empire. We will learn about the Carthagian general Hannibal bringing his elephants across the Alps and how the Romans finally defeated this formidable enemy. 

Week of August 29: Everybody loves Julius Caesar! (except for Brutus)


Week of  September 5: Ultimate Roman Senator Showdown!  Mark Antony versus Cicero in some of the most eloquent and insulting public arguments in history. When two great speakers and leaders of Rome have a showdown in the Senate, only one can emerge the victor... who will win?

Week of September 12: More conflict shaping Rome! Political infighting, international intrigue, and some of the greatest historical figures in Roman history- all at once. In what ways - if any - did this trio cause the fall of the Roman republic?  Cleopatra’s role in both Roman and Egyptian politics. When Egypt meets Rome, what are the results?

Week of September 19: Cleopatra. Let's examine her as an Egyptian and a Greco-Roman leader. Where does Fact end and Myth begin?

Week of September 26: Roman Propaganda time! How did Augustus change the Roman republic into an Empire? Augustus sets out to create the propaganda, imagery, and style of leadership and sets the standard for how leaders portrayed themselves throughout the Empire and throughout western history. Could he have borrowed some of this from the Egyptian pharaohs? We will look at new discoveries on the famous statue of Augustus of Prima Porta, examine the newly reopened Ara Pacis- a beautiful artistic piece and an example of Augustan propaganda at its finest. 

Week of October 3: Gladiators and Roman Games. Let's learn about the types of gladiators, games, and the role they play in Roman Society. Game on!

Week of October 10: Caligula VS Nero- who was worse?  Here we explore the inherent weaknesses in empires by comparing Rome’s two most infamous leaders. How did their taste for excess, luxury, and their disregard for the populous lead to the downfall of the family of Julius Caesar and Augustus? What does this say for the future of the Roman empire? 

Week of October 17: The Roman goddess Venus. How is she connected to the family of Julius Caesar? Let's learn about a few of her myths and her role in ancient Roman society.


More topics will be added regularly and we will cover many different areas of ancient Roman history, culture, and important figures.


I am really looking forward to seeing what subjects come up and exploring them with you. Let's have fun with the ancient world together!

It is not required to have taken any of the previous classes in order to participate.