Heinemann HISTORY 1 The author of the story in this chapter used ...

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Heinemann HISTORY 1
WB • E, G, CD • AQ, RI
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The author of the story in this chapter used Pliny’s
letter as evidence to recreate what happened
during those two terrible days of 24 and 25 August
ad 79. However, primary sources such as the one
on page 7 (Source 2) do not necessarily ‘speak
for themselves’. They often have to be interpreted
by historians before we can begin to understand
what they mean. Historians need to examine the
cultural attitudes of the time at which the source
was produced. They also need to look at whether
the writer was reliable or not.
When you are reading a source such as Pliny’s
letters, ask yourself: Who wrote the document?
Why? Was the writer giving a one-sided account?
In this case, we know a lot about Pliny. He was
well educated, and his uncle was an admiral in the
Roman navy who died at Pompeii saving others.
Later in life, Pliny became a governor under the
famous emperor Trajan. He wrote many letters to
Trajan, most of which still survive today.
Evaluating the strengths and limitations
of a source
1 Read the information above.
a Can you trust that Pliny’s description is an
accurate one? Explain your answer.
b How could you check to see if Pliny’s letters
are an accurate description of what happens
in a volcanic eruption?
Describing key events
2 Using a ruler, draw a line down the middle of
a page. At the top of the line write 3000 bc
(the beginning of recorded history) and at the
bottom write ad 2000 (the present).
Research the following events and place them
on your timeline:
• the building of the Great Pyramid of Khufu
• the ninety-third ancient Greek Olympiad
• the assassination of Julius Caesar in Rome
• the joining of the Great Wall of China
• the death of Jesus Christ
• the birth of the prophet Mohammed
• the Children’s Crusade
• the birth of Michelangelo
• the arrival of the Mayflower in North America
• the arrival of the First Fleet in Australia
• the French Revolution
• World War I
• your birthday
• any other important events you wish to
include.
3 a The pyramids were built around 3000 bc,
and the Romans conquered the Egyptians
around 30 bc. About how long did Egyptian
civilisation last?
b Greek civilisation was at its height around
500 bc, and Roman civilisation was at its
height around 600 years later. Work out the
date for Rome at its height.
c Legend tells us that Rome was established
around 700 bc, and China’s first dynasty
began 1200 years before this. Work out the
bc date for the first Chinese dynasty.
Maths
Maths
Maths

Chapter 1 POMPEII: interpreting the past
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How long ago?
History can be divided into four main periods that
stretch back thousands of years.
Period
Prehistoric times
Date bc (before Christ or ad
(after Christ)
Before c. 3000 bc — no
written records exist although
there were visual records such
as paintings and information
was also passed on orally (by
mouth)
Ancient history c. 3000 bc to ad 500
Middle Ages c. ad 500 to ad 1500
Modern history
c. ad 1500 to the present
The Pompeii story is based on two dates, one
ancient and the other modern: the eruption of Mt
Vesuvius in ad 79, and the excavation of Pompeii
in 1863.
Note:
• BC means ‘before Christ’; AD stands for the
Latin term ‘Anno Domini’ (Year of our Lord) and
refers to the time after Christ’s death.
• The abbreviation ‘c.’ in front of a date means
‘circa’, or approximately.

Heinemann HISTORY 1
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WB • F, H, I, J CD • FG, MG, MC
TRK • EW, EW, CT, AT
glossary
aqueduct man-made structure that carried water
from mountain streams to towns
artefact a human-created object, small or large,
such as a tool or a building
archaeologist someone who uses scientific
methods to uncover the past
basilica a large church or temple, often built with
rows of columns
cultural relating to the lifestyle of a group of people
at a given time
lava molten rock erupting from beneath the Earth’s
surface
Jupiter the chief god of the Romans
primary source evidence from the time of the
event, such as an eyewitness account, or an
object, building, or skeletal remains
pumice molten rock which is filled with air as it is
blasted into the sky
secondary source evidence such as a book or
painting created after the time of an event, by
someone not at the event
sibyl a woman in ancient times who was believed
to be a mouthpiece of the gods
Temple of Venus a large temple in Pompeii
dedicated to the Roman goddess Venus
Vesta Roman goddess of the fireplace, who
watched over the family
Vulcan Roman god of fire