Best Instructional Videos: Rome, Second Punic War to Empire

Roman civilization existed for 12 centuries, and we’re moving from the end of the Second Punic War to the beginning of the Roman Empire in this collection of the best educational videos the Internet has to offer on this period. For each video, we include a description and grade level. We also note the video’s capacity for engagement (“cool factor”). This installment concludes our three-piece Best Instructional Video series on the Roman Republic. For earlier history, see Best Instructional Videos: Rome from Beginning to Republic and Best Instructional Videos: Rome, Early Republic to Battle of Cannae.

Extra History 04 - The Conclusion of the Second Punic War

Source:  Extra Credits

Grade level:  6 through 12

Run time:  11:40 

Description:  This is the conclusion of an excellent series on the Punic Wars.

Cool factor:  All of the videos in this comprehensive collection remain fun, despite their serious subject matter.

Viewing questions:  1) For what do historians criticize Hannibal? 2) What did Rome reject? 3) Who was Archimedes? What were some of his achievements? How did he die? 4) What was happening in Spain? 5) Whom did Rome elect to go to Spain after a series of harsh defeats? Why was he chosen? Explain his “unthinkable” action. How did this work out? 6) Who is Hannibal’s brother? What does he decide to do after losing to Scipio Africanus? 7) What does Scipio Africanus battle next? Why was this battle unique? Describe the outcome. 8) What’s happening back in Italy? Who is Gaius Claudius Nero? What is he up to? 9) What happens to Hasdrubal and his men?

Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire: The First Barbarian War

Source: GREAT MILITARY BATTLES via History Channel

Grade level:  6 through 12

Run time:  43:31

Description:  Covering the Roman Republic’s Germanic wars and some major military battles of Gaius Marius, this documentary offers much in its depictions of Roman and barbarian warfare and life.

Cool factor:  This video is packed with great information and high production value. It moves through two sides of a very complicated story and shows Rome’s true nature as a civilization of conquest.

Viewing questions:  1) What do the Romans fear from their enemies?  2) What tribe is heading toward Rome? From where are they believed to have come? 3) What two tribes join the Cimbri? 4) What preservative was crucial to Roman life? Where was it made? What did the barbarian tribes do to this area? 5) What does Noreia do in response to invasion? 6) Who is Gnaeus Papirius Carbo? What agreement does he make with the barbarian tribes? Describe what happens after that agreement is made. 7) What interrupts the Battle of Noreia? What does Carbo do after the battle? 8) What happens during the next decade? Name at least two major battle locations for Rome and the barbarian tribes. 9) Who was considered Rome’s savior? What position does he achieve? Why did his soldiers have so much respect for him? 10) Why is Gaius Marius repeatedly re-elected, despite Rome’s term limits? 11) After two years of no conflict, what happens? Describe the events that reignited warfare. 12) After fending off the barbarian tribes, what does Marius do? Where does he relocate his camp? Why? Describe the Roman camp. 13) What do the barbarian women do after the Romans attack? What were they aware of? What did the Romans think of barbarian women? 14) Who was the king of the Teutons (Teutones)? 15) What does Marius have his captain, Claudius Marcellus, do in preparation for the barbarian retaliation? 16) How does Marius defeat half of the barbarian forces? What barbarians are left? 17) Why is Marius elected a fifth time to consul? 18) For what do the Cimbri ask Marius? How does he respond? Give specific details. 19) How does Marius use nature in battle to strike fear into the heart of the barbarian tribes? How does this final battle end? 20) What happens to Marius politically after he returns to Rome? What does he do to the republic? How many consulships did he serve before his death?

Carthage Victory Part 4

Source:  DarkAngelStarQ via History Channel

Grade level:  6 through 12

Run time:  7:35 

Description:  The destruction of Carthage as depicted by the History Channel.

Cool factor:  This video has it all, diving into battle plans and showing structural models of Carthage before offering up a very convincing battle re-enactment of this decimating and desolating historical event. It also includes actor Peter Weller (RoboCop) as host and narrator!

Viewing questions:  1) Who wants Carthage wiped out? 2) What did Carthage promise Rome? 3) Who ends every speech with “Furthermore, I say Carthage should be destroyed” when speaking to the Roman senate? 4) Describe the events that lead up to the Third Punic War. What’s the final demand of Rome before it begins? 5) Who leads Carthage’s resistance? 6) Who decides to set Carthage on fire? What occurs afterwards? What happens to the survivors?

The Roman Empire. Or Republic. Or...Which Was It? Crash Course World History #10

Source:  CrashCourse

Grade level:  6 through 12

Run time:  12:25

Description:  History teacher John Green offers another installment of Crash Course World History with his traditional flair and enthusiasm, complete with state-of-the-art video production and animation to advance his already-speedy delivery.

Cool factor:  John Green races through Roman history in his hilarious and informative signature style.

Viewing questions:  1) What were the standard rules for consuls in the Roman Republic? List every one mentioned in the video. 2) By whom was George Washington heavily inspired when conceiving the idea for a two-term presidency? 3) How was Gaius Julius Caesar born? 4) Who was Crassus? 5) Who was Pompey? 6) When did Caesar become consul? 7) What did Crassus, Pompey and Caesar all form? 8) What happened to Crassus? What did Pompey do afterwards? 9) What did Caesar say after crossing the Rubicon River? 10) In what year did Caesar first control all of Rome’s holdings? 11) How did Caesar first meet Cleopatra VII Philopator? 12) As time progressed, to what position was Caesar elected? Into what did this position evolve? 13) List at least two of Caesar’s accomplishments while in control of Rome. 14) Why was Caesar assassinated? How was he killed? What number is related to his death and why? 15) Who was in the second Roman triumvirate? How did that go? What resulted from their leadership? 16) Before its first official emperor, for how long was Rome basically an empire?

Rome - From Republic to Empire: Octavian vs. Mark Antony (part 1)

Source:  Princepsmaximus

Grade level:  6 through 12

Run time:  5:05

Description:  A combination of dramatic music, documentary and film clips, and tight editing bring to life the struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony after Caesar’s death.

Cool factor:  This is a fun and visually striking way to teach the real historical events that led to Rome’s first emperor.

Viewing questions:  1) Describe the events that happen directly after Caesar’s death, leading up to the second Roman triumvirate. 2) How were the territories divided?

Rome - From Republic to Empire: Octavian vs. Mark Antony (part 2)

Teacher Note: This video features a very brief and modest scene of simulated sex.

Source:  Princepsmaximus

Grade level:  9 through 12

Run time:  4:45

Description:  The second installment of this online exclusive composite piece that depicts the struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony after Caesar’s death.

Cool factor:  Impactful and never boring, this is the conclusion to the online exclusive that shows the real historical events leading to Rome’s first emperor.

Viewing questions:  1) How are Octavian and Mark Antony respectively described as leaders? 2) What mistake does Mark Antony make in the eyes of the Roman people? How does Octavian use this to his advantage? 3) What does Mark Antony do after fleeing to Alexandria with Cleopatra? What does Cleopatra do after meeting Octavian? 4) Who becomes the first official emperor of Rome?

Rome Part 5 - The End of the Republic

Source:  Mr. Corwin

Grade level:  6 through 12

Run time:  9:00

Description:  History teacher Mr. Corwin goes over the transitional process of how the Roman Republic became an empire. Although he excludes major details of Mark Antony’s war with Octavian, this video, in combination with parts five and six, wraps up the whole story nicely.

Cool factor:  Awkwardness and a touch of humor can go a long way. Combine those traits with some crisp explanations of Roman culture and life, and you’ve got a fantastic video to wrap up our video series on Rome.

Viewing questions:  1) Who was Spartacus? What did he do? 2) What’s crucifixion? 3) Name the two other consuls who served with Julius Caesar. Which one dies? What happened afterwards? 4) Who killed Caesar? 5) Who is Octavian? To what was his name changed? What happens to Rome after he becomes emperor? In addition, feel to include any of Corwin’s questions featured at the end of the video.

If you like this resource, then you’ll enjoy the lesson “What can the U.S. learn from ancient Rome?” from ListenCurrent. 

Last updated 2/11/2015. 

Article by Jason Cunningham, EducationWorld Social Media Editor
Education World®             
Copyright © 2014 Education World