The Age of Emperors
The Julio-Claudian Dynasty
Seventh Grade Final Project
Over the course of seventh grade Latin we have discussed the many adventures, dramas, and scandals
of the Julio-Claudian emperors, their families, and their impact on the ancient world and our own world
today. Your objective is to complete one of the following options in relation to an emperor/empress of your
choice from the given selection. This is an individual project; no group work is acceptable.
Julio-Claudian Choices
Augustus, Livia, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Agrippina, or Nero
1. Imagine that the story of your emperor’s life (or one of the women!) is to be made into a movie. You
are to create an epic movie poster, one that doesn’t just showcase who is the star of your movie, but
one that reflects moments in that emperor’s life. Your poster should not just have a strong central
visual image, but also needs four additional pictures that illustrate moments from your chosen JulioClaudian’s life. Any great, epic film will need movie reviews so your poster should showcase these
reviews by including at least four from film critics. (The names can be chosen by you!) The critics’
reviews need to reflect specific moment in your emperor’s biographical movie, not just random
phrases like “Two Thumbs Up!” Instead you should try to incorporate phrases like, “The burning of
Rome by Nero was not only grossly misleading but visually stunning!” so that you are teaching the
person looking at your movie about your emperor, whilst simultaneously trying to get them to attend
the opening night so your producers can bank a lot of money! Remember, you need to have at least
four images, in addition to the one, big central image, and reviews from four movie critics. Be sure to
also supply the poster with a cast list of the central players in the film, and a title. This poster
SHOULD NOT be completed on an 8 x 5 sheet of copy paper, but a larger one, to fully display its
majesty for all to see.
2. Create a board game based on the life and exploits of your chosen Julio-Claudian. This game must
actually be playable, so keep that in mind. You can modify a current game or actually design a brand
new one. You have to incorporate elements of the emperor’s (or lady’s) life into the game.
Remember, “Augustus Scrabble”, and “Nero Uno” and others games where you just change the name
are unacceptable. You must also create an original box to store your game in! Be sure to include all
pieces that are necessary to the playing of your game. There is a possibility that we will play the
game in class!
3. Eugepae! Or wait, maybe, Minime! They are knocking down Highcrest and the Junior High, and
subsequently all the buildings around it, to build the Roman World Amusement Park! They have
asked you, the ancient world expert that you are, to help design the Julio-Claudian portion of the
park. You need to create either a labeled diorama, or a labeled, colored, large, poster-board
presentation detailing all of your plans. You will need to have at least five rides in your JulioClaudian Land portion of the amusement park, along with two food stations and three games. Each
game, food station, and ride must reflect the emperor’s life or interests, and include a description of
each. Remember, you need to impress the Roman World Amusement Park board with your
knowledge, so be clever and creative, and show them that you know what you are talking
about. You can utilize all emperors, and ladies, or you can just stick with your favorite!
I will use Caesar as an example as he is NOT a Julio-Claudian!
1. Ride: Julius Caesar’s Haunted Senate House ! Description: Follow Julius Caesar on his
adventures through the haunted and macabre house of senators! See the horrors that await in
the most haunted ride in the park! Watch Cassius and Brutus sharpen their swords, watch
Caesar refuse to listen to his wife, prophets, dreams, and Shakespeare! Quake in fear while
watching democracy at work!
2. Ride: Gallic Roller Coaster! Description: It is 58 B.C.E, do you dare to ride through the early
years of France? Go on the loopty-loop coaster and dodge the arrows of Vercintegorix, and
the other Gallic Chieftans! See if your chariot/coaster can escape their war-horses! Can you
get home to Rome before they usurp all your power, land, and money, and exile you to some
far away dirt farm? Ride and find out!
3. Food Station: Caesar Salad on a Stick. Description: Celebrate the life of this great dictator
by enjoying Caesar salad propped up on a tasty kabob! Caesar would eat nothing except
Caesar salad on campaign, and now you shall too!
These projects are due on Tuesday, June 5th.