The Roman Senate: Power, Influence, and Decline – Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Explore the complexities of Ancient Rome’s most influential political institution with this engaging reading comprehension worksheet focused on The Roman Senate. From its rise as a central force in the Roman Republic to its gradual decline under the emperors, this worksheet offers students a deep dive into the Senate’s role in Roman governance, foreign policy, and military decisions. With a focus on critical historical events and figures like Julius Caesar and Augustus, this resource is perfect for bringing the power struggles and political dynamics of Ancient Rome to life.

What’s Included:

• Informative Reading Passage: Detailed overview of the Roman Senate, from its origins as an advisory council to its diminished role under the emperors.
• Primary Source Analysis: A powerful excerpt from Cicero’s speech against Catiline during the Roman Republic, providing students with an opportunity to analyze the Senate’s response to internal threats.
• Varied Question Types: Includes multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions designed to assess comprehension and encourage critical thinking.
• Answer Key: Complete answer key included for quick and efficient grading.

Why This Resource is Perfect for Your Classroom:

• Deeper Learning: Students gain a solid understanding of the political structures of Ancient Rome and how the balance of power shifted over time.
• Versatile Usage: Ideal for in-class reading, homework, or as part of sub plans, this worksheet is adaptable to different teaching needs and timelines.
• Engages Critical Thinking: By analyzing primary sources and connecting historical events, students will develop skills in historical interpretation and contextual understanding.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the evolution of the Roman Senate’s power from the Republic to the Empire.
• Understand key historical figures and events that influenced the Senate’s role, including Julius Caesar’s defiance and Augustus’s centralization of power.
• Evaluate the political and social factors that led to the Senate’s decline under imperial rule.

Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.9: Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.

Ideal For:

• World History
• Ancient Civilizations
• Social Studies

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