Unit 4 (Part II): Ancient Rome – Project and Essay
Project: An Illustrated Story:
THE STORY and LEGACY OF an ANCIENT ROMAN ARTIFACT
Name: _____________________
Period: ______
Group members: __________________________
________________________
Contact info:
________________________
Roman Law:
Lady Justicia
__________________________
Roman Architecture:
Parthenon
The Roman Republic:
Roman Senate
The Latin Language:
Legacy
Explanation and requirements:
(1) Create an illustrated story about an artifact from Roman times. The artifact in the
story needs to be authentic (in other words, it could have existed during the times
of Ancient Rome). Your story must:
 Connect your artifact to important events, terms, individuals from the
Roman history. Factor your artifact in various periods of Rome’s timeline
(Etruscan monarchy, Republic, Empire and the Empire’s split and
decline).
 Include explanation on how this artifact is part of a larger legacy / impact
of Roman culture on Western civilization of today (this should be
mentioned in the end of your story).
(2) Use your creativity and imagination, but do not deviate from well-known historic
facts and chronology.
(3) The final product might look like a comic book, power point slide presentation, a
collage, or an illustrated timeline.
(4) This project can be done individually or in groups (no more than 3 students per
group).
(5) When developing your story, use the list of important events, terms, and
individuals (you are not limited by this list-see next page):
Events:
Founding of the city of Rome
Expulsion of Etruscan kings
Punic Wars
Civil Wars (Caesar and
after)
Imperial expansion (Eastern
Mediterranean, Gaul,
Britain)
Jewish Revolt
Founding of Christianity
Split of the Roman Empire
Invasion of the Huns
End of the Western Roman
E.
Terms:
Republic
Patricians
Plebeians
Tribunes
Veto
Consuls
Dictator
Empire
Latifundia
Pax Romana
Census
Aqueducts
Paterfamilia
Patriarch
Mosaic
Individuals:
Romulus and Remus
Cincinnatus
Julius Caesar
Hannibal
Tiberius/Gaius Gracchus
Mark Anthony
Octavian (Augustus)
Caligula
Nero
Hadrian
Ptolemy
Galen
Jesus
Paul
Constantine
Here is an example: (beginning and end only!!!)
(firs slide/picture) The story of this
unearthed Roman arch begins in the
Palatine Hill, one of the hills that formed the
ancient city-state of Rome. The stones in this
arch were a part of original palace of
Tarquinius Superbus, the last Etruscan king
of Rome. The palace was demolished in 509
BCE, when Roman patricians overthrew
their Etruscan master and established a
republican system of government. …
(last slide/picture) Nowadays, features of
Roman architecture are visible in many
well-known landmarks, buildings, and
monuments. For example, the arch from
the Champs Élysées in Paris is an
example of the Roman arch (see picture).
Our nation’s capitol building also
includes features of Roman arches and
architecture. This shows that Rome’s
cultural legacy continues to be a part of
and influence our lives today.
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http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/champs-elysees-palais-de-lelysee-paris-prchelys.jpg
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A Few More Details …

Do not choose an artifact that is specifically identified with a particular
period in Roman history. For example, if you choose to create a story
about a crucifix, you will not be able to explain how your artifact is
connected to events and individuals from the Etruscan monarchy period
as well as the Republican period in Rome.

As it was mentioned above, you don’t have to limit yourself by the list of
events and individuals presented on the previous page. Use your notes
and classroom handouts for additional ideas on how to make your story
more exciting, elaborate, and inclusive of various developments in the
history of Ancient Rome.

There is no minimum / maximum limit to the number of slides / cartoons
in your comic book for this project. However, if you are striving for
excellence, you shouldn’t stop at providing just one visual and description
per every major period in the history of Rome.
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http://lolmad.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/funny_ancient_rome.jpg
NAME: _________________________________
Period: _____
Grading Rubric:
Categories/Criteria:
1. Story
 Creative, descriptive, coherent, and logical
 Follows chronology
 Incorporates a variety of individuals, terms,
and events
 Incorporates sub-periods of the Roman history
(Etruscan monarchy, Republic, Empire, etc.)
 Includes explanation on the importance/legacy
of an artifact
2. Artifact
 Authentic (could have existed during Roman
times)
 Included in the description of the story’s events
in a logical manner
3. Visual Product / illustrations
 Well-organized, creative, and neat
 Clearly demonstrates and illustrates evert
major event from the story
 Includes a visual of modern day connection/
legacy of the story’s artifact
4. (small but) Important details
 Story does not contain excessive number of
spelling/grammar/sentence structure mistakes
 The final product is submitted on the due date
 Embellishments in the story are suitable and
logical
 Story contains convincing arguments of the
artifact’s legacy and influence on Western
Civilization
 Grading rubric is included
Overall:
DUE DATE: ________________
Possible
Points:
30
10
20
20
80
Points
Earned:
Name: ____________________________
Topic: ______
Period: _____
Due Date: ____________________
Essay Topics:
Topic 1: Analyze major effects of Rome’s military expansion during the times of
Roman Republic.
Topic 2: Analyze the impact of Christianity on internal stability of the Roman
Empire
Topic 3: Analyze major causes behind the collapse of the Roman Empire.
Topic 4: Analyze and examine the legacy of Roman achievements and its impact on
Western civilization.
GRADING RUBRIC: Five Paragraph Essay
Categories/Criteria:
1. Opening Paragraph
 Introductory sentences (historic background of
your topic, transition to thesis, well-developed
thesis)
2. Body Paragraphs (minimum of three total)
 Each body paragraph contains an
argumentative topic sentence, 2+ relevant
examples, and analysis/commentary.
3. Conclusion
 Summary of main ideas
4. Details
 Essay does not contain excessive number of
spelling / sentence structure mistakes
 Typed and submitted on time (staple this
grading rubric to your essay!)
Overall:
Possible
Points:
0-5
0-12
(0-4 per
paragraph)
0-3
0-5
0-25
Points
Earned: