Touching the Past

Seventh Grade students in Mr. Smith’s World History course got a feel for the Roman Empire – literally! – as they hefted and examined vintage Roman Empire-era hilt swords during a recent class.*  The swords, purchased in the 1950s by Mr. Smith’s father while stationed in post-war Germany, allowed students to briefly experience what it was like to use such a weapon during the Empire’s long reign.  Students were surprised, they said, by how heavy the weapons were, noting that their weight would make them hard to utilize in anything but a short battle.

Prior to handling the swords, students in the class had read about the latter days of the Roman Empire in their TCI Digital Textbooks and completed exercises concerning what they had read.  Students had also viewed videos in class that took them on walking tour of the ruins of Pompeii, as well as through the Colosseum in Rome. Even a Roman woman’s makeup tutorial, created by English Heritage, was viewed to more personalize the study of the Romans.   Through each of these experiences, St. John’s students received an opportunity to not only read about this historical era, but to see and “feel” it.   

The review of the Roman Empire and its eventual fall sets the stage for the introduction of the feudal Medieval era in Europe . . which is where the World History class is focused upon right now.

Sadly, there are no Medieval-era swords available. . .

*The swords’ blades had been dipped in a resin to protect them from rust and decay, as well as to render them safe to handle. Safety first!

Kevin G. Smith, Seventh Grade, World History Instructor