Biography of Ancient Romans

Researching real people helps students to gain a more concrete understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of people who lived in ancient times. Giving students the perspective of those who lived during a time period helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial, empathetic and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a biography poster for an influential person in ancient Rome.

Teachers can assign students specific people or give students a choice. Teachers may wish to provide resources such as books or the online encyclopedia Britannica for students to read about their person. Completed posters can be printed out, laminated and hung around the room as a visual reminder of notable people from the time of ancient Rome. Students can also present their posters to their classmates, sharing their knowledge about their person. Thus combining research, writing, and public speaking skills into one powerful assignment.

Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!

Examples of Ancient Romans to Research

• Cincinnatus
• Julius Caesar
• Augustus
• Romulus and Remus
• Nero
• Marcus Aurelius
• Commodus
• Trajan
• Constantine
• Cicero
• Virgil
• Spartacus

Due Date:

Objective: Research a famous or notable person from ancient Rome. Create a biography poster that highlights their major accomplishments.

Student Instructions:

1. Choose a person.
2. Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more the person’s life and accomplishments
3. On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable). Choose a character that resembles your person. Add words and images to describe your person’s accomplishments.

Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishment.