I have encountered other homeschoolers saying they are getting lesson plans or student reading material by asking ChatGPT to generate it. I am unhappy with the coverage of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in our current 6th grade medieval history textbook, and have been trying to write an addendum anyway. So it occurred to me to try this experiment.
Here is my conversation with ChatGPT.
--
Q: Write a 6th grade level summary of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. Include the religion of the various participants.
A: The Battle of Roncevaux Pass took place on August 15, 778. It was an ambush by a group of Vascon soldiers on the rearguard of Charlemagne’s army, returning from Saragossa. The Basque attack was a retaliation for Charlemagne’s destruction of the city walls of their capital, Pamplona. All the men in the rearguard were killed. Among those killed in the battle was Roland, a Frankish commander. His death elevated him and the paladins, the foremost warriors of Charlemagne’s court, into legend, becoming the quintessential role model for knights and also greatly influencing the code of chivalry in the Middle Ages12.
The Basques were Christians while Charlemagne’s army was made up of Franks who were also Christians.
Q: Pretty sure the Basques were pagans, which is why Charlemagne wrongly suspected them of supporting his Muslim enemies, which is why he destroyed their city walls.
A: You are correct. The Basques were not Christians but pagans. Charlemagne wrongly suspected them of supporting his Muslim enemies, which is why he destroyed their city. I apologize for the confusion in my previous response.
Q: So, incorporate that information into the 6th grade summary.
A: The Battle of Roncevaux Pass took place on August 15, 778. It was an ambush by a group of Vascon soldiers on the rearguard of Charlemagne’s army, returning from Saragossa. The Basque attack was a retaliation for Charlemagne’s destruction of the city walls of their capital, Pamplona. All the men in the rearguard were killed. Among those killed in the battle was Roland, a Frankish commander. His death elevated him and the paladins, the foremost warriors of Charlemagne’s court, into legend, becoming the quintessential role model for knights and also greatly influencing the code of chivalry in the Middle Ages .
The Basques were pagans while Charlemagne’s army was made up of Franks who were Christians.
Q: Please include for the 6th grade reader that the difference in religion is why Charlemagne destroyed the city walls.
A: The Battle of Roncevaux Pass took place on August 15, 778. It was an ambush by a group of Vascon soldiers on the rearguard of Charlemagne’s army, returning from Saragossa. The Basque attack was a retaliation for Charlemagne’s destruction of the city walls of their capital, Pamplona. All the men in the rearguard were killed. Among those killed in the battle was Roland, a Frankish commander. His death elevated him and the paladins, the foremost warriors of Charlemagne’s court, into legend, becoming the quintessential role model for knights and also greatly influencing the code of chivalry in the Middle Ages.
Charlemagne wrongly suspected the Basques of supporting his Muslim enemies because they were pagans and destroyed their city walls.
--
In Conclusion, ChatGPT cannot write (among other things).
no subject
Here is my conversation with ChatGPT.
--
Q: Write a 6th grade level summary of the Battle of Roncevaux Pass. Include the religion of the various participants.
A: The Battle of Roncevaux Pass took place on August 15, 778. It was an ambush by a group of Vascon soldiers on the rearguard of Charlemagne’s army, returning from Saragossa. The Basque attack was a retaliation for Charlemagne’s destruction of the city walls of their capital, Pamplona. All the men in the rearguard were killed. Among those killed in the battle was Roland, a Frankish commander. His death elevated him and the paladins, the foremost warriors of Charlemagne’s court, into legend, becoming the quintessential role model for knights and also greatly influencing the code of chivalry in the Middle Ages12.
The Basques were Christians while Charlemagne’s army was made up of Franks who were also Christians.
Q: Pretty sure the Basques were pagans, which is why Charlemagne wrongly suspected them of supporting his Muslim enemies, which is why he destroyed their city walls.
A: You are correct. The Basques were not Christians but pagans. Charlemagne wrongly suspected them of supporting his Muslim enemies, which is why he destroyed their city. I apologize for the confusion in my previous response.
Q: So, incorporate that information into the 6th grade summary.
A: The Battle of Roncevaux Pass took place on August 15, 778. It was an ambush by a group of Vascon soldiers on the rearguard of Charlemagne’s army, returning from Saragossa. The Basque attack was a retaliation for Charlemagne’s destruction of the city walls of their capital, Pamplona. All the men in the rearguard were killed. Among those killed in the battle was Roland, a Frankish commander. His death elevated him and the paladins, the foremost warriors of Charlemagne’s court, into legend, becoming the quintessential role model for knights and also greatly influencing the code of chivalry in the Middle Ages .
The Basques were pagans while Charlemagne’s army was made up of Franks who were Christians.
Q: Please include for the 6th grade reader that the difference in religion is why Charlemagne destroyed the city walls.
A: The Battle of Roncevaux Pass took place on August 15, 778. It was an ambush by a group of Vascon soldiers on the rearguard of Charlemagne’s army, returning from Saragossa. The Basque attack was a retaliation for Charlemagne’s destruction of the city walls of their capital, Pamplona. All the men in the rearguard were killed. Among those killed in the battle was Roland, a Frankish commander. His death elevated him and the paladins, the foremost warriors of Charlemagne’s court, into legend, becoming the quintessential role model for knights and also greatly influencing the code of chivalry in the Middle Ages.
Charlemagne wrongly suspected the Basques of supporting his Muslim enemies because they were pagans and destroyed their city walls.
--
In Conclusion, ChatGPT cannot write (among other things).