Activity Overview
Researching real people and events helps to immerse people in the lives and circumstances of ancient times. Giving students this perspective helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a narrative of a person or event relating to ancient Rome. Creating a narrative out of the events will help students understand what happened, who each person was, and how they impacted history.
Teachers can assign students specific people or events 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 or event. Students can present their narratives to their classmates, sharing their knowledge and combining research, writing and, public speaking skills into one powerful assignment.
Examples of Romans to Research
- Cincinnatus
- Julius Caesar
- Augustus
- Romulus and Remus
- Nero
- Marcus Aurelius
- Commodus
- Trajan
- Constantine
- Cicero
- Virgil
- Spartacus
Ancient Roman Myths Adopted from Greece
- Jupiter and the Bee
- Apollo and Cassandra
- Pluto and the River Styx
- Minerva and Neptune
- Ceres and Proserpine and the Reason for Seasons
- The Mighty Hercules
- Perseus and Medusa
- Pandora's Box
- King Midas and the Golden Touch
Suggested Events or Legends of Ancient Rome
- 753 BCE - The city of Rome is founded. Legend of Romulus and Remus.
- 509 BCE - Rome becomes a republic. The last king, Tarquin the Proud is overthrown.
- 218 BCE - Hannibal of Carthage invades Italy.
- 73 BCE - Spartacus the gladiator leads enslaved people in an uprising.
- 45 BCE - Julius Caesar becomes the first dictator of Rome.
- 44 BCE - Julius Caesar is assassinated on the Ides of March.
- 27 BCE - The Roman Empire begins as Caesar Augustus becomes the first Roman Emperor.
- 64 CE - Massive fire burns much of Rome. Legend has it that Emperor Nero watched the city burn while playing a lyre.
- 79 CE - Mount Vesuvius erupts, destroying the nearby Roman city of Pompeii.
- 80 CE - The Colosseum is built. One of the great examples of Roman engineering, it can seat 50,000 people.
- 121 CE - The Hadrian Wall is built across northern England to keep out the barbarians invading the Roman Empire’s conquered territory.
- 306 CE - Constantine becomes Emperor of Rome and converts to Christianity.
- 380 CE - Theodosius I declares Christianity to be the sole religion of the Roman Empire.
- 395 CE - Rome splits into two empires: the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman (or Byzantine) Empire.
- 410 CE - Rome is invaded and falls to the Visigoths.
- 476 CE - The end of the Western Roman Empire and the fall of Ancient Rome. The last Roman Emperor Romulus Augustus is defeated by the German Goth Odoacer. This signals the start of the Dark Ages in Europe.
- 1453 AD - The Byzantine Empire comes to an end as it falls to the Ottoman Empire.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person. Create a narrative storyboard that includes their birth, death and important events from their life. OR Research a famous event or legend from ancient Rome. Create a narrative storyboard which describes the major events in sequence.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a famous person or event.
- Using school resources, conduct research on a famous person or event and take notes using a timeline graphic organizer.
- In the storyboard, include your person’s name and dates of birth, death and major accomplishments in sequence. OR if doing an event: include the major details of the event in order of occurrence.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishment, OR date of event and major details in order of occurrence.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
Researching real people and events helps to immerse people in the lives and circumstances of ancient times. Giving students this perspective helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a narrative of a person or event relating to ancient Rome. Creating a narrative out of the events will help students understand what happened, who each person was, and how they impacted history.
Teachers can assign students specific people or events 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 or event. Students can present their narratives to their classmates, sharing their knowledge and combining research, writing and, public speaking skills into one powerful assignment.
Examples of Romans to Research
- Cincinnatus
- Julius Caesar
- Augustus
- Romulus and Remus
- Nero
- Marcus Aurelius
- Commodus
- Trajan
- Constantine
- Cicero
- Virgil
- Spartacus
Ancient Roman Myths Adopted from Greece
- Jupiter and the Bee
- Apollo and Cassandra
- Pluto and the River Styx
- Minerva and Neptune
- Ceres and Proserpine and the Reason for Seasons
- The Mighty Hercules
- Perseus and Medusa
- Pandora's Box
- King Midas and the Golden Touch
Suggested Events or Legends of Ancient Rome
- 753 BCE - The city of Rome is founded. Legend of Romulus and Remus.
- 509 BCE - Rome becomes a republic. The last king, Tarquin the Proud is overthrown.
- 218 BCE - Hannibal of Carthage invades Italy.
- 73 BCE - Spartacus the gladiator leads enslaved people in an uprising.
- 45 BCE - Julius Caesar becomes the first dictator of Rome.
- 44 BCE - Julius Caesar is assassinated on the Ides of March.
- 27 BCE - The Roman Empire begins as Caesar Augustus becomes the first Roman Emperor.
- 64 CE - Massive fire burns much of Rome. Legend has it that Emperor Nero watched the city burn while playing a lyre.
- 79 CE - Mount Vesuvius erupts, destroying the nearby Roman city of Pompeii.
- 80 CE - The Colosseum is built. One of the great examples of Roman engineering, it can seat 50,000 people.
- 121 CE - The Hadrian Wall is built across northern England to keep out the barbarians invading the Roman Empire’s conquered territory.
- 306 CE - Constantine becomes Emperor of Rome and converts to Christianity.
- 380 CE - Theodosius I declares Christianity to be the sole religion of the Roman Empire.
- 395 CE - Rome splits into two empires: the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman (or Byzantine) Empire.
- 410 CE - Rome is invaded and falls to the Visigoths.
- 476 CE - The end of the Western Roman Empire and the fall of Ancient Rome. The last Roman Emperor Romulus Augustus is defeated by the German Goth Odoacer. This signals the start of the Dark Ages in Europe.
- 1453 AD - The Byzantine Empire comes to an end as it falls to the Ottoman Empire.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person. Create a narrative storyboard that includes their birth, death and important events from their life. OR Research a famous event or legend from ancient Rome. Create a narrative storyboard which describes the major events in sequence.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a famous person or event.
- Using school resources, conduct research on a famous person or event and take notes using a timeline graphic organizer.
- In the storyboard, include your person’s name and dates of birth, death and major accomplishments in sequence. OR if doing an event: include the major details of the event in order of occurrence.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishment, OR date of event and major details in order of occurrence.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Narrative Biography of Julius Caesar
Organize student research with a simple project checklist
Create a clear, step-by-step checklist for students to follow during their narrative biography project. This helps keep everyone on track and ensures no key details are missed.
Model how to take effective notes from sources
Demonstrate how to use a timeline graphic organizer to jot down important facts, dates, and events. Show students how to pull key points rather than copy whole paragraphs.
Guide students to organize information chronologically
Encourage students to arrange their research findings in time order. This structure helps them see cause and effect, and makes their narratives flow logically.
Support students as they draft and revise their narratives
Provide sentence starters, transition words, and peer review checklists. These tools boost confidence and help students improve their writing before sharing.
Facilitate engaging class presentations
Set up a positive, supportive environment for students to present their narratives. Encourage active listening and respectful feedback to make sharing meaningful for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions about Narrative Biography of Julius Caesar
What is a narrative biography and how can students create one about Julius Caesar?
A narrative biography tells the story of a person's life in a sequence, focusing on key events and accomplishments. To create one about Julius Caesar, students should research his birth, major life milestones, and impact on history, then organize these facts into a chronological, story-like format.
How can teachers use narrative biographies to teach about Ancient Rome?
Narrative biographies help students connect with historical figures by presenting facts as stories. Teachers can assign students a Roman figure or event to research, then have them create and present a narrative, combining research, writing, and presentation skills for deeper historical understanding.
What are some easy steps for students to research and present an ancient Roman person or event?
Students should choose a person or event, gather information using trusted resources, take notes on important dates and achievements, and use a timeline or storyboard to organize their findings. Presenting their narrative helps develop public speaking and critical thinking skills.
Which ancient Romans are good choices for middle school research projects?
Great choices include Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, Marcus Aurelius, Spartacus, Cicero, and Constantine. Each played a significant role in Roman history and offers rich stories for students to explore.
What resources can students use to research people or events from Ancient Rome?
Students can use books, reputable websites, and encyclopedias like Britannica. Teachers may also provide curated resources to ensure accuracy and age-appropriate content for middle schoolers.
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