Augustus’ ankers

Abstract

Summary In this article we present teaching materials based on the concept ‘anchoring innovation’, meant for students in year three of secondary school. The purpose of the materials is to illustrate how ‘anchoring innovation’ worked in Antiquity and to illustrate that these principles are still relevant today. A secondary goal is to give students insight into Classics as an academic discipline. Within the context of the classroom ‘anchoring innovation’ helps students to understand the relationship between different historical events, texts and material culture. In this set of teaching materials we focus on Augustus and his big innovation: the principate. Students will discover how Augustus anchored this political change. After analyzing texts, coins, buildings and works of art, they will present their findings in an infographic. They will find out that Augustus used all types of media to secure his principate. At the same time they will see that Augustus is careful not to use the wrong anchor.