Essay Map of the Roman Empire Analysis (Map of the Roman Empire Analysis)

Primary sources are those sources that give first-hand accounts of people or events in history. They include diaries, documents, photographs, newspaper articles, interviews…and sometimes maps. Maps are only considered a primary source “sometimes” though. If a person involved in the story creates the map—for example, an explorer draws the map as he or she explores—it is considered a primary source without debate. But if a map is compiled using information from secondary sources—even if it is identical to the map drawn by the original explorer—historians will argue as to its “primary” status. For this assignment, you will be using maps to recreate the history of the Roman Empire’s expansion and to tell a story. As you work, you will consider whether or not a map truly is a primary source.