Roman Wedding Film Project
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[4 – 6 discipuli]
Read the articles provided on Roman wedding customs, and plan out a reenactment of the
ceremony.
Film should be 5 minutes in length, including both the sponsalia and the actual wedding
(banquet + procession + ceremony).
One character, a young Roman, is explaining the wedding customs to a Greek guest. The
Roman character should instruct the Graeculus in the proper Latin terminology and explain
what each term means. The Roman should also explain the meaning behind the various
rituals (i.e., rather than simply stating that the haruspex is a priest, explain what he does at
the ceremony, and why he does it!).
<<Key Terms>>
anulus = the engagement ring.
cena nuptialis = the wedding-feast.
confarreatio = the ceremonial cake-eating.
deductio = the bridal procession to the bride’s new home.
dos = the dowry.
flammeum = the flame-colored bridal-veil.
haruspex = the priest who would check for omens prior to the ceremony.
iunctio dextrarum = the marriage hand-shake.
mundus muliebris = womanly articles.
pater familias = the father, in his role as supreme head of the household.
pronuba = the bridesmaid.
sponsa / sponsus = the engaged woman / man.
sponsalia = the engagement ceremony.
tabulae nuptiales = the marriage contract.
“Talassio!” = ceremonial wedding-cry.
tunica alba = the bride’s white tunic.
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Appropriate costumes are absolutely necessary.
All members of the group must appear in the film.
Each member of the group should also compose – on their own – a one-page essay which
compares and contrasts Roman and modern wedding customs. You should identify at least
three similarities or differences between them!
Production quality matters.
All films MUST be uploaded to YouTube. We will not accept any film files emailed to
us!
Roman Wedding Film Rubric
5
4
3
2
Key Terms
All key terms are incorporated
into the film and used
correctly.
Most key terms are
incorporated into the film and
used correctly.
At least half of the key terms
are incorporated into the film
and used correctly.
Few of the key terms are
incorporated into the film and
used correctly.
None of the key terms are
incorporated into the film.
Costumes
All characters are wearing
reasonably authentic costumes
throughout the film.
All characters, at some point
or another, are wearing an
authentic costume – but not
consistently.
All characters are wearing
costumes, but the costumes
are not necessarily appropriate
for the context.
Some characters are never
wearing costumes.
Little to no effort has been
made to create appropriate
costumes for the characters.
Props
Appropriate props have been
obtained in order to illustrate
all key terms from the list.
Appropriate props have been
obtained in order to illustrate
most key terms from the list.
Props have been obtained to
illustrate all key terms from
the list, but some are
inappropriate.
Props have been obtained to
illustrate all key terms from
the list, but most are
inappropriate.
No or few props incorporated
into the performance.
Acting
All students speak clearly and
fluidly, project some emotion,
and are not reading from
scripts. Everyone on task.
Most students speak clearly
and fluidly, project some
emotion, and are not reading
from scripts. Everyone on
task.
Students speak clearly, but do
not show any emotion. Still,
students are not reading from
scripts. Some actors may not
be on task.
Students are reading from
scripts while performing,
and/or many actors may not
be on task.
Students seem unprepared for
performance.
Creativity and
Clarity
Costumes, acting, and props
work together to present the
material effectively to an
audience. Discussion of the
terms is seamlessly
incorporated into
presentation.
Film has been neatly edited,
sound is audible, and lighting
is appropriate throughout the
entire presentation. Film has
been uploaded to YouTube.
Costumes, acting, and props
work together to present the
material effectively to an
audience, but, in some places,
terms not discussed
introduced in a fluid manner.
Costumes, acting, and props
do not clearly and effectively
explain some Roman wedding
customs.
Costumes, acting, and props
do not clearly and effectively
explain most Roman wedding
customs.
Presentation is not coherent,
and does not effectively
explain Roman wedding
customs.
Film has been neatly edited,
sound is audible, and lighting
is appropriate throughout
most of the presentation.
Film has been uploaded to
YouTube.
Film is approximately 4
minutes, or more than 5, in
length.
Sound and lighting is
appropriate, but some
problems with editing, and/or
film has not been uploaded to
YouTube
Many problems with sound,
lighting, and editing.
No effort has been made to
effectively edit the film, or to
make certain that sound and
lighting are appropriate.
Film is approximately 3
minutes in length.
Film is approximately 2
minutes in length.
Film is shorter than 2 minutes
in length.
Paper clearly and logically
compares and contrasts
Roman and modern wedding
customs, citing at least three
similarities or differences.
Paper cites at least three
similarities or differences, but
shows some lack of
understanding of the Roman
traditions.
Paper cites at least three
similarities or differences, but
they are not presented in a
logical or coherent manner.
Paper fails to cite at least three
similarities or differences.
No effort made to clearly and
logically compare and contrast
Roman and modern wedding
customs.
No errors in spelling or
grammar.
One or two spelling or
grammar errors.
Few spelling or grammar
errors.
Many spelling or grammar
errors.
Consistently makes spelling
or grammar errors.
Film Quality
Film Length
Essay: Content
Essay: Mechanics
Film is approximately 5
minutes in length.
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