ALEX Classroom Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [LAT] LA1 (7-12) 6 :

6) Investigate and describe the most important Greco-Roman deities, including their characteristics, duties, and associated myths.

Examples: Olympian gods, earth gods, mythical monsters, and creation stories.

[LAT] LA1 (7-12) 9 :

9) Identify Latin influences on other disciplines.

Examples: Roman numerals, metric prefixes in (mathematics), anatomical terminology, and names of planets (science).

[LAT] LA1 (7-12) 13 :

13) Identify similarities of their own culture to that of the Greco-Roman world.

Examples: Architecture, daily life, themes and heroes of classical mythology.

[LAT] LA1 (7-12) 15 :

15) Identify professional fields that employ Latin terminology.

Examples: Medicine, law, pharmacy, engineering, and science.

This lesson allows students to make connections between Latin, astronomy terminology, and Greco-Roman art. Students will be introduced to the Greco-Roman myth of Phaeton and how he created the Milky Way galaxy by critically analyzing The Fall of Phaeton by Rubens. The lesson provides a detailed background that explains the artwork, guiding questions that help transition from the art to a discussion of the constellations and astronomy, step-by-step activity instructions, and an optional extension. Middle school and High School Latin students should add to this assignment by creating a list of astronomy-related words that are influenced by Latin.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [LAT] LA1 (7-12) 6 :

6) Investigate and describe the most important Greco-Roman deities, including their characteristics, duties, and associated myths.

Examples: Olympian gods, earth gods, mythical monsters, and creation stories.

[LAT] LA1 (7-12) 9 :

9) Identify Latin influences on other disciplines.

Examples: Roman numerals, metric prefixes in (mathematics), anatomical terminology, and names of planets (science).

[LAT] LA1 (7-12) 11 :

11) Recognize plots and themes of Greco-Roman myths and their influence in literature, art, and music.

[LAT] LA1 (7-12) 13 :

13) Identify similarities of their own culture to that of the Greco-Roman world.

Examples: Architecture, daily life, themes and heroes of classical mythology.

[LAT] LA2 (7-12) 7 :

7) Investigate and describe Latin influences on modern academic disciplines, world languages such as English and the Romance languages, history, and philosophy.

Examples: Stoic and Epicurean philosophy on contemporary ideas and literature, similarities and differences between modern and Roman military tactics.

[LAT] LA2 (7-12) 8 :

8) Describe Roman influences on contemporary arts and culture.

Examples: The television series Rome, the movies Gladiator, Cleopatra, and Troy, and contemporary youth literature.

This learning activity is created to follow Social Studies and Language Arts standards however, the content makes a perfect connection to the Latin literary figures addressed in the Latin standards for the state of Alabama. The activities are in English but provide insight into "The Metamorphoses" by Publius Ovidius Naso (Ovid). It includes guiding questions, background information, an essay-based assessment, and multiple extensions that allow students to compare "The Metamorphoses" with later works of art and modern poetry.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [LAT] LA1 (7-12) 5 :

5) Investigate and describe elements of Roman daily life.

Examples: Calendar, household gods, government, family, social organization, Roman games, and holidays like Saturnalia.

[LAT] LA1 (7-12) 6 :

6) Investigate and describe the most important Greco-Roman deities, including their characteristics, duties, and associated myths.

Examples: Olympian gods, earth gods, mythical monsters, and creation stories.

[LAT] LA1 (7-12) 7 :

7) Investigate and describe elements of Roman material culture.

Examples: Temples, architecture, food, and clothing.

[LAT] LA2 (7-12) 4 :

4) Explain the significance of people, events, social structures, and political terms in Roman history.

Examples: Heroes of the early Roman Republic, Scipio, Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Caesar, Antony, Octavian, Constantine, and Justinian.
Events include the founding of Rome, the secession of the Plebs, Punic Wars, and civil wars.
Patrician and plebeian classes, the role of women in Roman society, and slavery in the ancient world.
Monarchy, republic, populares, optimates, cursus honorum, First and Second Triumvirates.

[LAT] LA2 (7-12) 5 :

5) Compare the actions of Roman heroes and historical figures and explain the differences.

Examples: Compare the actions of Marius, Sulla, Caesar, or Cicero to Cincinnatus, Camillus, or Regulus.

This activity lets students explore ancient Greek gods and Roman gods through art images provided by The J. Paul Getty Museum. Students are encouraged to repeat the plot presented in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" by going back in time to meet these deities. They then bring their assigned deity back to the modern world where they create and participate in a mock television talk show style interview. Image links and student guides (handouts) are provided in the activity outline.