Webquest about Rome

COMENIUS BILATERAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN LICEO SC. ST. ARISTOTELE – ROMA - ITALY AND I.E.S. TORRE ROJA – VILADECANS- SPAIN School year 2008-2009

WEB QUEST ON ITALY AND ROME FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

‘This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.

This publication reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.’

WEB QUEST ON ITALY AND ROME MISSION 1: ITALY IN GENERAL 1. What form of government is there in Italy?

The policy of Italy bases on a republican system parlamentarist with representative democracy.

2. Draw and colour the Italian flag.

3. List the names of five cities in Italy Rome, Venice, Florence, Turin and Milan.

4. Here is a map of Italy: How many regions is Italy divided into?

Italy is divided in 20 administrative regions divided in provinces and these in turn in municipalities or communes. Of twenty regions, five (Aosta's Valley, Friuli-Venice Julia, Sicily, Sardinia and Trentino-high place Adigio) have a special status in reason of his geographical, cultural or social nature. Other they surrender to a common statute of administration.

5. In which regions are the cities you listed in q. 3?

The region of Rome is “Latium Region”.

The region of Venice is the same name: “Veneto Region” Of Florence: Tuscany.

The region of Turin is Piemonte.

And finally, the region of Milan is Lombardy.

6. Now let’s consider Italy’s physical map: What mountain chain closes Italy at the north?

- The Alps.

What mountain chain spreads from north to south?

- Appennine mountains.

7. What seas surround it?

Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Ionian Sea, Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea. 8. What countries have a boundary in common with Italy?

France, Switzeland, Austria and Slovenia.

9. Which is ….. the longest river? The Po is Italy’s longest river.

The highest mountain? Mont Blane (monte bianco) is on the bourder of france and italy, controversy over which it is really in. The whole northen bourder is above 2000 metres. the biggest island? Sicily and Sardinia the largest lake? Lake Garda

MISSION 2: FACTS ABOUT ROME 1.

The story of Rome starts from a she-wolf and two twins: Who were they?

Romulus and Remus.

2.

According to the legends, who was Rome founded by?

Romulus and Remus, the twin sons of the priestess Rhea Silvia.

3.

When was it founded? Day, month, year!!!

Romulus (c. 771 BC–c. 717 BC) and Remus (c. 771 BC–c. 753 BC).

4.

On how many hills was it founded?

Romulus had stood on one hill and Remus another, and a circle of birds flew over Romulus, signifying that he should be king.

5.

Now about the modern city: which river flows through Rome?

Tiber.

6.

What is the name of the island in the middle of the river?

Insula Inter-Duos-Pontes which means "the island between the two bridges"

7.

How large is the population of Rome?

Rome has a population of 2.656.000.

8.

Is it the biggest city in Italy?

No. Is Milan.

9.

Rome is the only city in the world which contains …. a whole nation! a. What is the name of this nation?

Vaticano. b. How many square kms does it cover?

0,439 km² c. Who is the Head of State?

The Papa. d. draw and colour this state’s flag:

10. EUR is a modern area in Rome. What does its name mean?

E.U.R., the acronym of Esposizione Universale Roma.

11.

When was it started to be built? What prevented it from being finished?

It was started in 1935 by Benito Mussolini and planned to open in 1942.

12.

Football is the most popular sport in Italy: a. list the name of five Italian foot ball teams Milan, Juventus, S.S Lazio, La Roma, Inter Milan. b. can you connect them to a specific city?

Milan with the city of Milan, Juventus the city of Turin, Lazio of Rome, La Roma of Rome and Inter Milan of the city of Milan.

13.

In Rome there are two football teams: what are they? write their names next to their flags:

a.

Name of the football club

La Roma. b. Name of the football club:

S.S Lazio

14. How many World Championships have been won by the Italian National football team?

4.

MISSION 3 THE MAIN ARCHEOLOGICAL AREA 1.

Fill in the Coliseum Identity card:

Nick name

Coliseum

Official Name

the Flavian Amphitheatre

Year of construction

between 70 and 72 AD- completed in 80 AD (Titus)

Emperor

Vespasian, Titus

Form

hypogeum(underground),floor covered by sand…

Number of floors

7 The arena itself was 83 meters by 48 meters.

Length and width

2.

What was it used for?

Gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.

3.

Why is there a cross in the middle of the arena?

Because it’s still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession to the amphitheatre.

4.

Are there similar buildings in your country?

Yes. There are some amazing buildings in our country. Very different of this, but also very incredible.

5. What was the social function of the Roman Forum?

It was the trade center, political and religious center of the city of Rome because it expanded to include temples, a Senate and the courts.

6. Who was this man, killed by his followers and friends in the Roman Forum?

Julio César.

7.

When were It was built in AD 100-110.

the

Trajan

markets

8. What was their use?

The functions of Trajan’s Markets were two: commercial and administrative: people met there to buy, to trade and to make political alliances .

9. What victory does the Trajan column celebrate?

Trajan's victory in the Dacian Wars.

built?

MISSION 4 FROM CIRCO MASSIMO TO APPIA ANTICA 1.

Circo Massimo’s measures: length: 621 m (2,037 ft) width: 118 m (387 ft).

2.

What chariot races.

3.

kind

of

races

were

held

in

Circo

Massimo?

Caracalla Baths: what activities could a Roman citizen make there?

Choose among the following: read, have a massage, listen to music, have a hot bath, go to the gym, meet friends, have his beard and hair cut, make business, speak about politics.

4.

How many pools were there in the Roman baths? what differences were there among them?

2; Darium and Caldarium.

5. to?

Appia was called Regina Viarum, “the queen of roads”: where did it lead

6. Who built the Catacombs?

For what purpose?

The catacombs are underground burial places built from the second century by Christians to bury their dead. Initially the catacombs were used exclusively for funerals and the worship of martyrs buried there.

S. Calixtus Catacombs on Appia Antica

7. Look at this picture: what do you think was the function of all those niches?

Where bodies were placed, wrapped in linen shrouds with some lime to aid decomposition, then sealed with carved marble slabs (for those who could afford it) or brick.

8. Who was the Roman Emperor who built Caste S. Angelo as his tomb?

Hadrian emperor.

9. What

other

important

landmark

outside

Rome

He also built the Pons Aelius, (now Ponte Elio or Ponte S. Angelo).

did

he

build?

MISSION 5: BAROQUE SPLENDOUR 1. In which century was there the dominance of the baroque style in art?

Choose: XIV century XV century XVI century XVII century 2. Who were the most important Baroque architects and artists in Rome?

Gianlorenzo Bernini and San Peter.

3. Complete this factifle about S. Peter’s dome: Diameter at the basis Height Number of steps to get to the top Architect Year of completion

Around 420 metres 136 meters above floor level of 40 metres Bramante November 18, 1626

4. Rome is full of beautiful baroque fountains: what scene does Fontana di Trevi represent?

It represents the sea

5. What is the name of the fountain in the centre of Piazza di Spagna?

Barcaccia Fountain.

6. Piazza Navona was built by the Romans: what was it used for?

The romans used Piazza Navona for play “The Agones” and do circus, etc.

7. Which rivers are represented in the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi built by Bernini in the middle of the square?

The Nile in Africa, Ganges in Asia, Danube in Europe, and Río de la Plata in America.

8. What can you see on the top of it? Where does it come from?

A symbol of Pamphilij’s family.

MISSION 6: OSTIA ANTICA 1. What does the name Ostia mean?

The name “Ostia” means door.

2. Why is it called Ostia Antica – old Ostia?

Because is an antic city of Italy and It was the port of Rome and maybe the first colony.

3. When was it founded? Who, according to the legend, was it founded by?

One of the kings was founded by Anco Marcio of Rome in the 7th century to. C 4. What was the period of its greater splendour?

The period of the Middle Republic.

5. Have a look at this photograph: where have you seen this large mosaic, representing Neptune, the sea God? In Ostia, Italy.

6. People in Ostia liked going to the Thermopolium or to the taberna when they were free: what could they do there? Choose: Drink something warm - have a warm bath – buy food – buy clothes – meet friends.

7. Ostia was also famous for this kind of very modern structures, where 20 people could sit together: what was their use?

Their was used for

MISSION 7: VILLA ADRIANA 1.

Fill in this factfile about Villa Adriana

Year of construction

in the early 2nd century A.D.

Emperor

the Roman Emperor Hadrian

Use Style

Greek and Egyptian

Square kms occupied by it

1 square kilometre

2. Which other The Panteon.

monument

in

Rome

was

built

by

the

same

emperor?

3.

What was the name of the emperor’s young lover to whom most of the statues in the Villa are dedicated? Here is his portrait.

Antinous.

4.

5.

How did the young Antinous fell off of a barge in the Nile and died.

lover

die?

Do you remember at least five buildings in Villa Adriana? a. The Poicile b. Le Cento Camerelle c. The Nympheum d. Le Piccole e le Grandi terme e. The Canopus 6.

How many people lived and worked in Villa Adriana when the emperor was there?

After Hadrian, the villa was used by his various successors. During the decline of the Roman Empire the villa fell into disuse and was partially ruined. In the 16th century

Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este had much of the marble and statues in Hadrian's villa removed to decorate his own Villa d'Este located nearby.

6.

A modern Belgian writer wrote a book about the life of this famous emperor: what is the title of this book?

Marguerite Yourcenar.

MISSION 8: VILLA D’ESTE 1. When was Villa D’Este built? Who commissioned it?

From 1550 until his death in 1572. The Villa d'Este was commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este (1509-1572).

2.

Villa D’Este is full of fountains: where does all this water come from?

3. What style was used for the internal decorations of the Villa?

Drawing inspiration.

4.

Name at least five fountains you’ve seen there: a. The Fontana dell'Ovato b. Fontana del Bicchierone c. Le Cento Fontane d. the Rometta e. Fontana dell’Organo

5. What is the special characteristic of the Fontana dell’Organo?

The sound that it produces when is on.

6. How many sprouts can you count in a row here? (you don’t need to count them all now!!)

A hundred.

THE END

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