Famous Men of Rome · Ch. XXVII, part 2 · Unit 6: The later Empire and its fall
40. Marcus Aurelius, part 2: Troubles, wars and the Thundering Legion
Goal: Your child can tell about the Parthian horsemen, the storm that saved the Roman army, and why Aurelius said wasting time was a crime.
You'll need
- The book, open to this chapter
- A map of Italy and the Mediterranean (a free online map or a globe)
- Paper and colored pencils
- Your timeline strip (see the tips at the top)
What's in the book
Section II to the end of Chapter XXVII: floods, earthquakes and fires; wars with the Parthians and with tribes in what are now Austria and Hungary. A sudden storm saves the thirsty army fighting the Quadi, and Aurelius names his Christian soldiers the "Thundering Legion." He forgives the friends of the rebel Cassius, works through the games, and dies in 180 A.D.
The lesson, step by step
Set the scene
Find Austria and Hungary on the map, and Vienna on the Danube. Say: Rome's borders were long, and there were enemies along all of them.
Read the chapter
Read from section II to the end of Chapter XXVII. It begins:
But the reign of Aurelius was full of troubles.
Tell it back
Prompts:
- How did the Parthian horsemen fight?
- What happened to the army in the rocky valley?
- Why did Aurelius forgive the friends of Cassius?
- What did he do at the games?
Talk it over
Read:
To waste time is one of the greatest of crimes.
Ask: Do you agree? Is resting the same as wasting time?
Ask: Some soldiers said a wizard brought the rain; the Christians said it came from their prayers. What does each side's story tell you about what they believed?
Remember it
Read his words about the rebels:
I can afford to forgive traitors.
Add to the timeline: "180 A.D. Marcus Aurelius dies."
Extra (optional)
Draw the Roman soldiers catching rain in their helmets.
Answers to the book's problems
They rode swift horses, attacked the rear, rode away when attacked, and turned in the saddle to shoot arrows and throw javelins at full speed. The thirsty army was saved by a sudden rainstorm, then a hailstorm stopped the enemy's attack. He said he had governed too faithfully to fear plots, and that the rebels were to be pitied. At the games he studied, made notes, and dictated letters and orders. Resting to do better work is not the same as wasting time; most children will see the difference.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.