What do you think is going on in this image? What can it tell us about Roman society What are the problems with this source?

What was school What was school like for Romans?like for Romans?

To assess how teachers were To assess how teachers were viewedviewed

To investigate (&experience) To investigate (&experience) key stages of educationkey stages of education

To evaluate its effectivenessTo evaluate its effectiveness

Learning objectives

Key words: Litterator Grammaticus Rhetor Stilus Papyrus Suasoriae Controversia.

How are teachers viewed in How are teachers viewed in today’s society?today’s society?

With your partner discuss how you think With your partner discuss how you think teachers are viewed in today’s society (not teachers are viewed in today’s society (not just by pupils but by parents, media etc).just by pupils but by parents, media etc).

Write down some words and phrases to Write down some words and phrases to reflect your discussionreflect your discussion

Be ready to share your thoughts with the Be ready to share your thoughts with the classclass

How do you think teachers were viewed in How do you think teachers were viewed in ancient Rome? ancient Rome?

How to you think teachers How to you think teachers were viewed in ancient were viewed in ancient

Rome? Rome? ‘‘What grammaticus, even the most learned, ever receives What grammaticus, even the most learned, ever receives

the salary which his hard work deserves? But still the the salary which his hard work deserves? But still the parents set impossible standards for you. They insist that parents set impossible standards for you. They insist that you mould the tender minds of their sons as a sculptor you mould the tender minds of their sons as a sculptor moulds a face from wax. And then they say: “Do your job moulds a face from wax. And then they say: “Do your job well, and when the end of the year comes, we’ll pay you for well, and when the end of the year comes, we’ll pay you for the twelve-month period the same amount that a chariot the twelve-month period the same amount that a chariot driver earns in one race.’’’ driver earns in one race.’’’ Juvenal,Satires 7.215ffJuvenal,Satires 7.215ff

‘‘What do you have against us, spiteful school teacher? We What do you have against us, spiteful school teacher? We know you are hated by all the boys and girls you teach. know you are hated by all the boys and girls you teach. Before the crested cockerel has even crowed. You shatter Before the crested cockerel has even crowed. You shatter the silence with your harsh voice and the lashes of your the silence with your harsh voice and the lashes of your whip. Would you be willing, you old windbag, to accept the whip. Would you be willing, you old windbag, to accept the same pay for being silent as you now receive for shouting same pay for being silent as you now receive for shouting out lessons?’ out lessons?’ Martial, Epigams 9.68Martial, Epigams 9.68

Extension: What else can you learn from these sources Extension: What else can you learn from these sources about education in Rome? about education in Rome?

The stages of educationThe stages of education In groups of 6, each pair has one of the key In groups of 6, each pair has one of the key

stages of education. Summarise your stage stages of education. Summarise your stage into your area of the chart. into your area of the chart.

You then need to prepare a mini taster of the You then need to prepare a mini taster of the kind of lesson a Roman would have kind of lesson a Roman would have experienced in your stage of education based experienced in your stage of education based on what you have just learnt. However, you on what you have just learnt. However, you can give it a modern twist! (it only needs to can give it a modern twist! (it only needs to last a couple of minutes!)last a couple of minutes!)

You have 10 minutes to prepare & then You have 10 minutes to prepare & then teach!teach!

Extension: Is your stage of education similar Extension: Is your stage of education similar to any education you receive today? to any education you receive today?

JudgementJudgement Overall, how effective do you think the system of education Overall, how effective do you think the system of education

in Rome wasin Rome was In your judgement make sure you explain both the positive In your judgement make sure you explain both the positive

and negative aspects of the system, and them make an and negative aspects of the system, and them make an overall judgement.overall judgement.

Extension: What do you think this quote means and does it Extension: What do you think this quote means and does it effect your judgement? effect your judgement?

‘‘All right, so I didn’t learn geometry, didn’t do essay writing All right, so I didn’t learn geometry, didn’t do essay writing and such rubbish. But I can read; I can count. And I’ll bet and such rubbish. But I can read; I can count. And I’ll bet that did me more good than the money your father wasted that did me more good than the money your father wasted on your fancy school fees with the Rhetor… I was taught by on your fancy school fees with the Rhetor… I was taught by a real teacher: “Hold on to what you’ve got and mind how a real teacher: “Hold on to what you’ve got and mind how you go”, he said. That’s what I call an education. That’s you go”, he said. That’s what I call an education. That’s what made me what I am today.’what made me what I am today.’

A freedman speaking in Petronius’ satirical novel SatyriconA freedman speaking in Petronius’ satirical novel Satyricon

Your taskYour task

Study the sources and complete the Study the sources and complete the table provided.table provided.

Your taskYour task You have 10 minutes to prepare a poster You have 10 minutes to prepare a poster

advertising the educational facilities offered advertising the educational facilities offered by your school.by your school. Refer to the subjects, methods & equipment of the Refer to the subjects, methods & equipment of the

litterator, grammaticus and rhetor.litterator, grammaticus and rhetor. Include testimonies from pupils who have been to Include testimonies from pupils who have been to

the schoolthe school Include a ‘mission statement’Include a ‘mission statement’

In 10 minutes a Roman Ofsted inspector will In 10 minutes a Roman Ofsted inspector will come round to rate your school and grade come round to rate your school and grade you outstanding to requires improvementyou outstanding to requires improvement

Success criteriaSuccess criteriaRequires

improvementGood Outstanding

Your use of specific technical vocabulary is limited

You don’t refer to all stages or explain them clearly

There is only a limited effort to promote the school

You use some technical vocabulary

You refer to all 3 stages of schooling but sometimes are unclear of the differences

You promote the school well, but more people in your group could pull their weight

You confidently use technical vocabulary, e.g. Litterator Grammaticus Rhetor Stilus Papyrus Suasoriae Controversia

You explain in detail: the 3 different stages of education

The team as a whole work well and confidently together promote the school. You might even have a mission statement that is appropriate

Homework Homework

Make a prospectus for a Roman school Make a prospectus for a Roman school advertising the stages of education on advertising the stages of education on offer (in reality these would have not offer (in reality these would have not been taught in one place)been taught in one place)

Extension: Do some more research Extension: Do some more research into Roman education and see of you into Roman education and see of you can find primary sources (images or can find primary sources (images or text) to demonstrate the education text) to demonstrate the education system in action. system in action.

Success criteriaSuccess criteriaSatisfactory Getting better Wow factor

Your use of specific technical vocabulary is limited

You include 2 or fewer of the research items

There is only a limited effort to make it read like a school prospectus

You use some technical vocabulary

You include at least 3 of the items from your research

You write in the style of a school prospectus but could improve the professionalism of the appearance, e.g. by using ICT or checking more carefully for SPAG

You confidently use technical vocabulary, e.g. Litterator Grammaticus Rhetor Stilus Papyrus Suasoriae Controversia

You explain in detail: the 3 different stages of education

It’s written convincingly and imaginatively in the style of a prospectus (look at FSG’s if unsure) and reading it makes you want to go to the school!

Extension taskExtension task

Supplement your work with

your own research –

there are some good links to sites such as

this on Studyhistory