Roman Roads Press Blog

Author: Daniel Foucachon

Guédelon: A Modern Building of an Ancient Castle

by Daniel Foucachon on Posted on

Have you ever found yourself reading a very old book and wondering “How did they do it all?” The castles, the battles, the art, the clothing? I still can’t read a history book, or even a historical novel, without trying to imagine the historical context around each story. So when I found out about Guédelon, I got really excited! In a century when houses are built in less than a year, and even skyscrapers take only a few years, it’s hard for us to fathom what the architectural feats of yesteryear actually involved. Guédelon bridges the gap between our imaginations … Continue Reading “Guédelon: A Modern Building of an Ancient Castle”

Roman Feasting | Friday Foray

by Daniel Foucachon on Posted on

Friday Foray is a series of posts about fun and interesting facts about the classical world, education, or trivia. Enjoy and share! Roman Feasting Gastronomy is nothing new under the sun. In fact, the Romans beat many of even our most avant-garde efforts. Sumptuous feasts were a way to impress your friends and potential allies, so no expense was spared by rich citizens. One Roman, Lucullus, even had different rooms where he would receive different guests of varying worth–and of varying cost to himself. The highest guests were said to cost around 25,000 sesterces (circa $2,500) per person. The wilder the … Continue Reading “Roman Feasting | Friday Foray”

How do Credits and Transcripts work with Old Western Culture? | Webcast

by Daniel Foucachon on Posted on

I’ve received several questions from parents about how to record Old Western Culture on a transcript, and how much credit it’s worth in terms of completeing high school. I created a 10 min webcast to answer these questions. I hope this helps you, and don’t hesitate to post a question or comment below, or be emailing info@romanroadsmedia.com. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO: – A blank high school transcript. Download: Word (RTF)  or PDF– Completed example transcript: PDF OVERVIEW: Old Western Culture is an integrated humanities, double credit high school course. Those credits most often fit into the “Social Studies” category. Depending … Continue Reading “How do Credits and Transcripts work with Old Western Culture? | Webcast”

In what way is Old Western Culture a "Christian Approach" to the Great Books?

by Daniel Foucachon on Posted on

Old Western Culture is a distinctly Christian course. The creators of the course believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, the Providence of God working in history, and that all truth is God’s truth wherever it may be found. A Christian worldview is not “taught” as an afterthought, but assumed throughout and thoroughly integrated in the approach to the material. Below are two small excerpts from the course which demonstrate how this works itself out in Old Western Culture.   Platonic Heresies and the Church (excerpt from The Philosophers). Why the Aeneid Mattered to Early Christians (and still matters today!) The … Continue Reading “In what way is Old Western Culture a "Christian Approach" to the Great Books?”

Summer Unit Study + Review = Free Curriculum!

by Daniel Foucachon on Posted on

Each year of the Old Western Culture curriculum is neatly divided into quarters. Because of this every unit can stand alone as its own unit study. Between July 1st and July 15th, purchase any 1 unit from The Greeks (year 1 of Old Western Culture), send an email to reviews@romanroadsmedia.com letting us know you’re planning on doing a review, and submit your review of that unit by August 30th. You will then be able to choose a second unit of your choice from The Greeks or The Romans, and we’ll send it to you for free! Already own Old Western Culture? No problem! Between … Continue Reading “Summer Unit Study + Review = Free Curriculum!”

American Independence: A joyous and solemn occasion

by Daniel Foucachon on Posted on

The words of John Adams in a letter to his wife Abigail the day after the signing of the Declaration of Independence are often quoted by Patriots on the 4th of July, and should be! But the full context of that letter shows a more solemn side that we don’t quote as often. In this letter, dated July 3rd (the Constitution was actually signed July 2nd), John Adams says, “When I look back…and recollect the series of political Events, the Chain of Causes and Effects, I am surprised at the Suddenness, as well as the Greatness of this Revolution. Britain … Continue Reading “American Independence: A joyous and solemn occasion”

John Adams to his son: Read Thucydides

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John Adams wrote to his son, John Quincy Adams, soon after the Declaration of Independence, exhorting him to read Thucydides as a way to be best prepared for the days ahead of him as a leader. Here is the full letter: My dear Son, As the War in which your Country is engaged will probably hereafter attract your Attention, more than it does at this Time, and as the future Circumstances of your Country, may require other Wars, as well as Councils and Negotiations, similar to those which are now in Agitation, I wish to turn your Thoughts early to such … Continue Reading “John Adams to his son: Read Thucydides”

Why Roman Roads Media?

by Daniel Foucachon on Posted on

The goal of Roman Roads Media is to make the classical subjects friendly to the homeschool. Many curriculums are designed by educators with the classroom in mind. The curriculum we produce has the homeschooler in mind from conception to delivery, with emphasis placed upon communicating a love of learning.