Latin I
Stage 8 Project
Gladiator Tombstones
And Advertisements
Nōmen ___________________________
Diēs __________________Pd._________
Objective: Students will work individually or in pairs to create an original inscription having to do
with gladiators that reflects details of gladiators and gladiator competitions, and Romans’ views of
gladiators and competitions. Your options are:
Create a tombstone for a gladiator
Create an advertisement for a gladiator competition
Create a protest sign for a gladiator competition
In order to create a plausible inscription, students will need to conduct research using in-class
resources and approved websites to learn about the way Romans wrote and inscribed stone, what kinds
of phrases they used, what kinds of pictures they used, etc.
To make our tombstones look “Ancient Roman,” students will be supplied with tag board and other art
materials. Students will also be expected to use correct Roman spelling (recall differences between the
Roman and English alphabet), Roman numerals, Roman names, and culturally-appropriate references.
You will be graded on these areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Work Ethic
Creativity and appearance
Research
Grammar
Presentation
Ancient Roman Tombstone
Grading Rubric
Possible
Points
Work Ethic:
On-task during group time; appropriate use of materials
5
Creativity and Appearance:
Your project is neat and creative; evidence that effort was put into it
20
Research:
Adequate research was done regarding gladiator games and daily life, the
Roman alphabet and number systems so that the product reflects Ancient
Roman beliefs and systems
10
Grammar:
Proper sentence structure, punctuation and spelling
5
Presentation:
Read your inscription aloud and explain it to the class.
10
Total Points Earned (out of 50):
50
Points
Earned
____
____
____
____
____
___________
What is your project?
What are some important details that should appear on your project?
What picture or pictures will you include on your project?
What should the writing look like on your project?
Please explain at least four details about your project that reflect Roman ideas of
Gladiators, gladiator games, Roman values, beliefs in life after death, cultural facts etc.
GLADIATORS
Gladiators 1
Great introduction, primarily for younger surfers, but instructive and humorous for all. Follow your fate in
cartoon form, as you're captured, sold, trained as a gladiator... and then put to fight in the arena.
Check out especially the "Who's Who" page!
Based on the book You Wouldn't Want To Be A Roman Gladiator!
Gladiators 2
This fantastic website has an excellent section on gladiator "games" as well as on the Colosseum. The
wonderful illustrations are large and clear, and there are many hyperlinks to other parts of the site. for
instance, click on the hyperlink "free-specatcles" to learn about the origin of gladiatorial contests.
Use the the drop-down menus for full navigation of the site with loads more info.
Gladiators 3
Good web-page on gladiators and amphitheatres.
Gladiators 4
Another good site from the BBC, dealing briefly with gladiator origins, styles of fighting, barrack life, and
graffiti. Also, there is a section on popularity and criticism.
Gladiator Game
Despite being slow to load, this is a great little game where you have to correctly supply the arms and
armour for different types of gladiators. Use the clues to pick the correct weapons for them. Your choice of
weapons and armour will decide whether or not they are victorious.
The Colosseum 1: virtual tour
The greatest of all Roman amphitheatres was the Colosseum in Rome. Excellent animation (courtesy
Discovery Channel/BBC) providing short, precise information on various areas of the arena.
Pompeii Amphitheatre 1
Description, photos and plans of the actual remains.
Venationes 1
Animal hunts: Detailed with images.
Venationes 2
Animal hunts: Short description with ancient images.
Funerary Inscriptions 2
How to go about deciphering Roman tombstones, with examples for you to translate.
Roman Alphabet 1
Curious about the development of the Latin alphabet? This page traces the development of letter forms from
Phoenicia to the Roman world via clever animation.
Roman Alphabet 2
The changing shape of Latin letters in the course of Roman history is vividly shown in this excellent article
which has links to downloadable Latin fonts. Primarily for older surfers.
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/gladiators.htm
This website gives a description of what Seneca thought of the games – “…it was plain butchery.”
http://books.google.com/books?id=_PsRfWWigAoC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs
_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Preview of the book, Gladiators at Pompeii. There are many pictures related to
gladiators, the amphitheater and graffiti in Pompeii.
http://www.archaeology.co.uk/cwa/world-news/the-magirius-mosaic.htm
This article includes an interpretation of the inscriptions and pictures on the mosaic
from northern Africa. There is an English translation of the mosaic pictures and words.
http://books.google.com/books?id=EmqEtji6aQsC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_g
e_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
The book Gladiators 100 BC – AD 200 – A very good book with a lot of pictures and
information. There is an interesting section about average height of the Romans
compared to the average height of a gladiator.