Grace Dodge High School

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H1$H - Global History & Geography

Ancient Rome - The Twelve Tables

Theme – Political Systems

You and the members of your group are plebeians in ancient Rome, in 450 BC. The Patricians are the aristocracy that makes the laws that govern your life as a plebeian. As plebeians, you have all been loyal Romans, but recently your best friend was arrested for a crime and no one knows why, including your best friend! It has become common practice for the Patricians to make laws that are convenient for them, but unfair to plebeians! Your group has decided to let the rest of the Roman world know what problems you have found with the current legal system in Rome.

Help save your fellow plebeians!

As your group meets, you begin asking questions, such as, “What was the problem in Ancient Rome before the Twelve Tables? How did the Twelve Tables solve these problems? How did it create new problems?” Your role is to become a reporter in Ancient Rome, and create a newspaper – letting everyone know what’s going on! You will find the causes for the injustices towards your fellow plebeians in Ancient Rome, and you will evaluate how well the solution of the Twelve Tables solved this problem.

Your task is to produce a newspaper about Roman law and the Twelve Tables. It should include a headline on the front cover, three articles, and three editorials (one article and one editorial from each member of the group). Be creative! Include pictures as well as advertisements, and even horoscopes, if you choose. Each group member must contribute at least two written pieces to the newspaper, which will include one article and one editorial. You will hand in five completed GHPPA worksheets (one set per group). You will also give a presentation, which will be five minutes in length, related to an editorial in your newspaper.

Step I.

You will be assigned to a group of three. Using a variety of resources (Internet websites, textbook, class notes, handouts) your group will research the topic of the Twelve Tables of the Roman Empire. You will record your findings for each section on the worksheets provided, and then use the worksheets to develop your newspaper articles/editorials. Once you have written your individual pieces, you will join with your group to put together your newspaper. Use the website resources listed below, as well as your textbook and handouts to complete the GHPPA worksheets.

Step (click on these links to help you better understand each step)	GHPPA Assignment (Click on the ‘worksheet’ links to bring up a word document, in which you will record your answers. Be sure to SAVE or PRINT your worksheet!)
Identify the Problem	include all answers on your worksheet
Gather the Evidence	Gather evidence to show/prove the problem existed & include all answers on your worksheet
Determine the Causes	Identify the causes of the problem by analyzing the websites and completing the worksheet
Evaluate the Policy	Explain what changes were made to Roman law, including the advantages, disadvantages, and your suggestions for an improved policy. Include your findings on the worksheet
Do a Comparative Analysis	Compare the Twelve Tables of Ancient Rome to Draconian law of Ancient Greece in relation to law and government. Complete the worksheet

Step II. – Individual work

Begin preparing your contribution to your group newspaper. Each group member will contribute at least one newspaper article (stating the facts), and one editorial (stating analysis and opinion).

A. In your article, be sure to include this information (from GHPPA worksheets)

1. What is the problem?

2. What is the evidence that the problem existed in Ancient Rome?

3. What were the causes of the problem?

4. What policies were enacted and what events took place in an effort to solve this problem?

5. What happened as a result of these policies or events? (Was the treatment of plebeians improved after the Twelve Tables were codified? Why or why not?)

6. Briefly compare and contrast the codification of Roman Laws with the codification of Greek Laws

B. In the editorial, you will analyze the situation and state your opinions:

1. What policies can you create to correct the problem?

2. Why do you think Plebeians were dissatisfied with Roman law before the Twelve Tables?

3. Why do you think the patricians agreed to put laws in writing?

4. List three ways in which you think the Twelve Tables benefited plebeians?

5. Why would the Twelve Tables empower Plebeians?

6. What would change about Roman society after the Twelve Tables?

Step III. – Group work

With your group you will now assemble your newspaper. Be sure your completed newspaper meets the following guidelines:

A. Detailed cover page (with each group member’s name, class, and teacher, the title of the newspaper, and the first article).

B. It may include advertisements and any other items you would find in a modern newspaper (just make sure you relate all information to Ancient Rome).

C. It should be neatly typed, using Arial font, size 12, without spelling or grammatical errors.

D. It should end with a separate reference Page, citing each source used.

E. It may be colorful and have as many visuals (illustrations, photographs, etc.) as you would like.

Step IV. - Presentation

Finally, each group will choose the best editorial in its newspaper and make a five-minute presentation to the entire class. Each group member must contribute to the presentation either by speaking or creating a visual piece for the presentation (power point presentation, poster, etc.)

The Twelve Tables are established in 450 BC	Scroll down to 450 BC. This timeline will briefly tell you what the purpose of the Twelve Tables was.
Division between classes - Patricians vs. Plebeians	This site will explain the history leading up to the Twelve tables being codified.
A Conflict of Orders	This site will explain what changes occurred after the Twelve Tables were codified.
Early roman government	This site gives a great overview of Ancient Rome (Pay special attention to the section about early Roman government)
What are the Twelve Tables?	Read the Twelve Tables here
Implications of the Twelve Tables
problems continue after the twelve tables
Timeline of Western Civilization
Draconian Law of Ancient Greece	This will give you a summary of what Draconian Law was like.
More about Draco’s Laws	read “Crisis of Lower Class” and “Draco’s Reforms” to help you compare ancient Greece and ancient Rome in relation to law and government.

	Unsatisfactory 0	Needs Improvement 1	Good 2	Very Good 3	Excellent 4
Group GHPPA worksheets are complete, neatly written, and include thoughtful answers to each question.
Individual Newspaper included at least 1 Article and 1 Editorial (Typed using Arial font, size 12, and well thought out)
Group Newspaper (Group members produced a newspaper, which was creatively designed and well thought out)
Presentation (Speaker(s) spoke loudly and clearly. Visual aids were neat and well developed. All presenters were respectful of the speaker, and answered students/teachers questions after the presentation.)
Groupwork (Members shared their own articles/editorials, and worked as a team on their project.)

By completing this Webquest, you should have identified one problem that existed in Ancient Rome was the existence of social inequalities as well as unfair treatment of plebeians by aristocratic patricians, and that The Twelve Tables were written to solve that problem in 450 BC. You should be able to compare and contrast Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman Laws (The Twelve Tables and Draconian Law). You should have also learned that Draconian law of the Ancient Greeks compared to the Twelve Tables of Ancient Rome.

Social Studies - World History

2:1 The study of world history requires an understanding of world cultures and civilizations, including an analysis of important ideas, social and cultural values, beliefs, and traditions. This study also examines the human condition and the connections and interactions of people across time and space and the ways different people view the same event or issue from a variety of perspectives.

2:2 Establishing timeframes, exploring different periodizations, examining themes across time and within cultures, and focusing on important turning points in world history help organize the study of world cultures and civilizations.

2:3 Study of the major social, political, cultural, and religious developments in world history involves learning about the important roles and contributions of individuals and groups.

English Language Arts

1 Listening & Reading to acquire information and understanding involves collecting data, facts, and ideas; discovering relationships, concepts, and generalizations; and using knowledge from oral, written, and electronic sources.