Benchmark #4: Topic Vocabulary

Due Date: May 10, 2016

1
Directions: Using your research, determine (find) vocabulary words that people would need to
understand in order to learn about your topic. After you have found these words, follow these
steps:
1) Write the word in the left hand column
2) Find a picture online of your vocabulary word
3) Create a definition for the word, IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
Example:
Phalanx

In battle, Greek soldiers would create a

phalanx by having a large number of
soldiers make a rectangle. Greek
soldiers often used dory spears and
shields in this formation to stop attackers.

Your work goes here:

Vocabulary Word
Dissolution

Picture of Vocabulary word

Definition (YOUR OWN WORDS

The end of a group or partnership.
Sometimes, wars were caused because
of a dissolution between two cultures.
Rome has had dissolutions before and
have had conflicts with other cultures,
which often started wars.

Triumvirate

A triumvirate is a partnership of three

important people, usually leaders. Rome
had a triumvirate which was made up of
Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.
This Triumvirate would lead Rome to
victory during wars.

Roman Roads

The Roman roads were roads built by the

Romans to help them expand their
empire. The Roman roads were very
important to Romes economy and to the
Roman military. Traders would travel on
the Roman roads to reach other cultures
and trade resources like fruit, silver
coins, and other materials that were
useful to the culture the Roman traders
were trading with. The roads were also
used by the Roman military. The roads
were even used during wars. The roads
made it easier for the Roman legions to
travel from one place to another.

Mononym

A person who is known by a single name.

For example, Alexander the great was a
name known by many ancient cultures.
Alexander invaded Rome and was
victorious in claiming Rome as his own
land. The Romans waged war against
Alexander, but lost.

Necessity

Being needed for something. In wars,

soldiers often needed necessity to help
them face an enemy or deflect fire power
from them. We ask for necessity today as
well for all sorts of situations like asking
for help on your homework, or needing
help in general.

Regarded

Viewing someone or something in a

specific way. In the ancient world, many
cultures regarded Rome as a culture with
many resources, or having controlling
lots of lands, which could be useful for
helping a civilization grow strong and
powerful. Wars were started because of
other cultures wanting Romes resources,
like the Punic wars.

The Tortoise

The Tortoise was a battle

formation used by Roman
armies to defend themselves
against the enemies fire
power.

The Wedge

The wedge was a battle

formation used by the Roman
armies during wars. Roman
soldiers would come together
to make a triangle, and the
front tip of the triangle would
be attacking the enemy
troops.

The Orb

The Orb was a defense

formation used in battle by
Roman soldiers. Roman
soldiers would come together
to form a circle and hold of
their shields. This would
protect the soldiers from
getting hit by the enemy
troops.

The Skirmishing Formation

The skirmishing formation

was a formation used by
Roman soldiers during
battles. It is similar to the
modern day football tactic
used before the game has
begun. This tactic helped
Roman soldiers deflect fire
power and move past enemy
lines.

Legions

Legions are Roman armies

recruited from Roman
civilizations. Legions were
Romes greatest offense in
wars. Legions would go to
any land and take it for
Rome. They were made of
the strongest soldiers in the
Roman military and have won
many wars like the Punic
wars.

Pilum

A pilum is a weapon with a

pointy tip made of metal and
has a few inches of bent
wooden rod. Basically, a
Roman spear. Pilums were
used in most wars in Roman
history and have been an
effective weapon for the
Romans. Spears were used
in wars such as a three Punic
wars, Pyrrhic war, and much
more.

Scutum

A scutum is a Roman shield

with an insect drawing on the
surface. These shields were
used during wars to help
Roman soldiers deflect the
firepower from the enemy.