Women in World History Curriculum Showcase SPINDLE STORIES CURRICULUM UNITS

©1996-2008 womeninworldhistory.com

Nothing Lasts Forever: Roman Pompeii

The rumblings of her beloved mountain Vesuvius echo Cornelia's own uncertain feelings as she comes of age under her mother's guidance. Unit activities focus on ways historians and archeologists uncover women's history, the use of the distaff and spindle, differences between women's freedoms in Pompeii and 5th century B.C. Athens, and the arguments Hortensia made before the Roman Forum in 42 B.C.E.

Spiralbound, 38 pages
8.5 x 11 inches
ISBN 0-9625880-5-9
© 1990
$10.00 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Fated To Be Friends Story - the lives of Didyma and her twin brother Didymus take divergent paths as they come of age. On the road to adulthood, each finds their own strengths as well as their enduring dependence on each. Vocabulary and inquiry questions are integrated into the story.

Activities/Student Worksheets:

Growing Up: A Celebration - class learns about contemporary coming of age celebrations and designs their own.

Words About a Woman's World - poems and myths reveal women's experiences.

Aristotle and Aspasia Debate: Should Women Be Equal to Men? - debaters use arguments based on ideas of Aristotle, Plutarch, Xenophone, Euripides and Plato.

An Open Letter From the Young Women of Sparta - fictional letter illustrates difference in expectations between young women in Sparta and Athens.

Poem to Artemis - analyzing primary sources.

Background Essay: Women in Classical Athens

Selected Bibliography