Mabon: The Roman Republic & Empire
Rome expands across the Mediterranean, defeats mighty Carthage, and struggles with the corrupting influence of power as the Republic begins to crumble.
UU Principle Focus
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
🎯 Learning Goals
- • Understand the Punic Wars and Rome's rivalry with Carthage
- • Analyze the causes of the Republic's decline
- • Write and evaluate algebraic expressions
- • Solve one-step equations using inverse operations
- • Identify planets in our solar system and their characteristics
- • Connect themes of balance to Mabon and historical events
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: The Punic Wars Begin
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Rome and Carthage were rivals for power in the Mediterranean. How do we handle competition? When does rivalry become harmful?
📚 Language Arts
Introduction to Carthage and Hannibal. Map the Mediterranean world. Write about the causes of the Punic Wars.
✖️ Math
Writing algebraic expressions. Translate words into math: 'five more than a number' = n + 5.
🔭 Science: Astronomy
Introduction to Astronomy: What is space? Our place in the universe. Scale of the solar system.
✏️ Form Drawing
Carthaginian and Roman shield designs
🧶 Handwork
Begin autumn harvest crafts; apple drying
📖 Story
Hannibal Crosses the Alps
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Punic Wars Explained
- Solar System for Kids
Shows:
- Hannibal: Rome's Worst Nightmare
Audio:
- The Young Carthaginian
Week 2: Hannibal's Campaign
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Hannibal's journey across the Alps seemed impossible, yet he persisted. What challenges have you overcome that seemed impossible?
📚 Language Arts
Study Hannibal's military genius. Read accounts of the Battle of Cannae. Write a battle report from a soldier's perspective.
✖️ Math
Evaluating expressions. Substitute values for variables. Order of operations with expressions.
🔭 Science: Astronomy
The Sun: our star. Size, temperature, composition. Solar energy and its importance to Earth.
✏️ Form Drawing
War elephant illustrations in Roman style
🧶 Handwork
Continue harvest crafts; begin knitting or weaving project
📖 Story
The Battle of Cannae
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Battle of Cannae Animation
- The Sun Explained
Shows:
- Battles BC: Hannibal
Audio:
- Horrible Histories: Rotten Romans
Week 3: Rome's Victory & Expansion
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Rome eventually defeated Carthage and destroyed it completely. Is total victory always right? What does justice look like after war? (2nd Principle)
📚 Language Arts
Study Rome's victory in the Punic Wars. Scipio Africanus. The destruction of Carthage. Debate: Was Rome justified?
✖️ Math
Writing and solving one-step equations: x + 5 = 12. Use inverse operations.
🔭 Science: Astronomy
The Inner Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars. Rocky planets. Compare sizes and features.
✏️ Form Drawing
Roman triumph procession illustrations
🧶 Handwork
Preserve harvest foods; make apple butter or jam
📖 Story
Scipio Africanus: Conqueror of Carthage
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Fall of Carthage
- Inner Planets Tour
Shows:
- Rome: Power and Glory
Audio:
- Tales of Ancient Rome
Week 4: The Roman Republic in Crisis
🕯️ Hearth Circle
As Rome grew rich and powerful, corruption spread. How does power change people? How do we stay true to our values?
📚 Language Arts
Study the Gracchi brothers and their reforms. The struggle between rich and poor. Write about social justice in Rome.
✖️ Math
Solving one-step equations with subtraction and multiplication. Check solutions.
🔭 Science: Astronomy
The Outer Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Gas giants. Rings and moons.
✏️ Form Drawing
Planetary diagrams and orbital patterns
🧶 Handwork
Create a solar system model; autumn nature crafts
📖 Story
The Gracchi Brothers: Champions of the Poor
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Roman Republic Crisis
- Outer Planets Documentary
Shows:
- The Universe: Jupiter
Audio:
- Roman history podcast
Week 5: Marius and Sulla
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Marius and Sulla fought a civil war for control of Rome. What happens when leaders put personal power above the common good?
📚 Language Arts
Study the rivalry of Marius and Sulla. The first Roman civil war. Write a newspaper article about these events.
✖️ Math
Solving one-step equations with division. Mixed practice with all operations.
🔭 Science: Astronomy
Dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets. The asteroid belt. Pluto's story.
✏️ Form Drawing
Comet and asteroid illustrations
🧶 Handwork
Continue solar system project; prepare Mabon crafts
📖 Story
Marius and Sulla: The Republic Crumbles
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Roman Civil Wars
- Asteroids and Comets
Shows:
- Rome: Rise and Fall
Audio:
- Rubicon audiobook excerpts
Week 6: Mabon Celebration & Balance
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Mabon celebrates balance—equal day and night. Rome struggled to find balance between power and justice. How do we find balance in our lives?
📚 Language Arts
Write a reflection on balance in history and personal life. Complete Roman Republic timeline. Present research projects.
✖️ Math
Review equations. Introduction to ratios: comparing quantities. Ratios in Roman architecture.
🔭 Science: Astronomy
Review solar system. Create final presentations. Discuss Earth's seasons and the equinox.
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a balanced, symmetrical Mabon design
🧶 Handwork
Complete Mabon crafts; prepare celebration feast
📖 Story
The Equinox: Stories of Balance from Many Cultures
📺 "Just Can't" Day
Videos:
- Autumn Equinox Explained
- Solar System Review
Shows:
- Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
Audio:
- Mythology audiobook
🍂 Mabon Celebration
- 🟡 Create a balance altar with equal light and dark elements
- 🟡 Hold a harvest feast featuring autumn foods
- 🟡 Display solar system models and astronomy projects
- 🟡 Present Roman history timelines and research
- 🟡 Reflect on balance in nature, history, and personal life
- 🟡 Share gratitude for the harvest season
📚 Recommended Resources
Read-Alouds & Literature
- • The Young Carthaginian (G.A. Henty)
- • Detectives in Togas (Henry Winterfeld)
- • Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic
Reference
- • DK Eyewitness: Ancient Rome
- • National Geographic: Space Encyclopedia
- • Usborne Book of Astronomy