The Pax Romana: Rome's Golden Age of Peace and Prosperity - Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Immerse your students in the golden age of Rome with this reading comprehension worksheet focused on the Pax Romana, a period of over 200 years of peace, prosperity, and cultural flourishing in the Roman Empire. This resource takes students through the rise of Emperor Augustus, the remarkable political stability, the economic growth fueled by Roman roads and trade, and the incredible achievements in art, literature, and infrastructure that shaped Roman identity.

Students will explore how Augustus managed to consolidate power while preserving the illusion of the Republic, the development of Roman infrastructure like the Viae Romanae, and the expansion of trade routes across the Mediterranean Sea. They'll also gain insight into how this era's relative peace allowed for cultural and intellectual advancements, resulting in iconic works like Virgil’s Aeneid.

What’s Included:

• Informative Reading Passage covering the rise of Augustus, the economic and political stability of the Pax Romana, and cultural achievements.
• Primary Source Analysis with excerpts from Augustus’s Res Gestae, offering students firsthand accounts of this transformative period.
• Multiple-Choice, Matching, Fill-in-the-Blank, and Short-Answer Questions designed to reinforce critical thinking and comprehension.
• Complete Answer Key for easy grading and feedback.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the political, economic, and cultural significance of the Pax Romana.
• Analyze how Augustus’s leadership contributed to the peace and prosperity of the Roman Empire.
• Explore the infrastructure and trade networks that supported Roman economic stability.
• Engage with primary source materials to examine Augustus's role in shaping Rome's golden age.

Perfect for: This worksheet is ideal for World History, Ancient Civilizations, or Social Studies classes for grades 7-12. It can be used for:

• In-depth class discussions about the Roman Empire.
• Homework assignments to support key historical concepts.
• Substitute teacher plans or review activities for student mastery of the material.

Common Core Alignment:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.2: Determine the central ideas of a source and provide an accurate summary.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis and reflection.

Perfect for:

• Roman Empire Unit
• Economics and Infrastructure in Ancient History
• Literature and Cultural Achievements in Rome

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