Lesson plan
Ocriculum
Ocriculum is an archaeological area covering about 36 hectares. Excavations of the Roman site beginning in 1775 led to the discovery of the baths, a theatre, a basilica, and other buildings. The massive bath complex included a large octagonal room where a spectacular mosaic pavement was found, now preserved in the Vatican Museums in the Sala della Rotonda of the Museo Pio-Clementino. Other important finds from the site include the head of Zeus of Otricoli and the head of Claudius, also displayed in the same gallery. Major structures at the site include a theatre built into the natural slope of the land, a large complex known as the “Great Substructures,” a monumental nymphaeum, and the forum discovered north of the river San Vittore. Several monumental tombs stand within the city near the Via Flaminia, where the ancient road remains well preserved and paved with large basalt stones.
Article summary
Ocriculum is an archaeological area covering about 36 hectares. Excavations of the Roman site beginning in 1775 led to the discovery of the baths, a theatre, a basilica, and other buildings. The massive bath complex included a large octagonal room where a spectacular mosaic pavement was found, now preserved in the Vatican Museums in the Sala della Rotonda of the Museo Pio-Clementino. Other important finds from the site include the head of Zeus of Otricoli and the head of Claudius, also displayed in the same gallery. Major structures at the site include a theatre built into the natural slope of the land, a large complex known as the “Great Substructures,” a monumental nymphaeum, and the forum discovered north of the river San Vittore. Several monumental tombs stand within the city near the Via Flaminia, where the ancient road remains well preserved and paved with large basalt stones.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.