Julius Caesar: Dictator for Life and the Fall of the Republic - Reading Comprehension Worksheet with Primary Source

Engage your students with the dramatic rise and fall of Julius Caesar, one of the most influential figures in Roman history. This reading comprehension worksheet explores Caesar's military conquests, political reforms, and the role he played in the collapse of the Roman Republic. From his victories in the Gallic Wars to his controversial appointment as Dictator for Life, students will dive into the complexities of Caesar’s legacy and the events that led to his assassination on the Ides of March. This resource also includes an analysis of a primary source from the historian Suetonius, offering an eyewitness perspective on Caesar's final moments.

This worksheet includes:

• In-Depth Reading Passage: A thorough overview of Julius Caesar’s life, military achievements, and political influence, leading to the end of the Republic.
• Primary Source Analysis: A passage from Suetonius on the assassination of Julius Caesar, encouraging students to explore the theme of betrayal.
• Multiple-Format Questions: Includes multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions to assess comprehension and encourage critical thinking.
• Answer Key: Full answer key provided for easy grading.
• Flexible Use: Perfect for classroom discussions, homework assignments, assessments, or sub plans.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will analyze Julius Caesar’s political and military career and its impact on the Roman Republic.
• Students will engage with primary source material to better understand the motivations behind Caesar’s assassination.
• Students will evaluate the consequences of Caesar's rise to power and how his assassination led to the fall of the Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

Recommended Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2: Determine the central ideas of a primary or secondary source.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.9: Integrate information from diverse sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of a historical event.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-12.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.

Perfect For:

• World History
• Ancient History
• Social Studies classes for grades 9-12.

This resource is ideal for fostering critical thinking and deeper analysis of key events in Roman history. Whether for sub plans or in-depth discussions, this worksheet offers your students a valuable exploration of the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

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