Ideas for Teachers based on the Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence
THE FIRST LESSON OF HISTORY: NO TOILET PAPER!
Romans used a sponge-stick instead of toilet paper. Discuss what was the same and what was different about Roman times.
INSPIRATIONAL ARTEFACTS
Take a real object or a replica artefact. Study it in silence for a full minute. Touch it. Sniff it. Listen to it. Taste it. Now write a story or poem about it.
DESIGN YOUR OWN SIGNET RING
In Ancient Rome educated people signed documents with a signet ring, which could be recognised even by those who couldn't read. If you had been a well-educated and rich Roman, what design would you have on your signet ring? A god, like Mars or Venus? A hero, like Hercules or Atalanta? An animal, like a cricket or dolphin? Or a mythological creature, like the hydra, which had the body of a dog and nine snake heads? Design your ring.
NUBIA THE SLAVE-GIRL
Read the passage in The Thieves of Ostia where Flavia buys Nubia. Now put yourself in Nubia's position and write in the first person about how Nubia feels.
LUPUS THE MUTE BEGGAR BOY
Read the passage in The Thieves of Ostia where Jonathan's father discovers that someone has cut out Lupus's tongue. Put yourself in Lupus's position and write in the first person about Lupus.
MORE EMPATHY
Find a passage that triggers a memory of something that happened in your own life. You might have felt sad, happy, jealous, excited, etc. Compare the scene in the book with the incident from your life. How were they similar? How were they different? Detail how you felt during that experience.
HOW A BOOK COVER IS DESIGNED
What is a book cover designed to do? Do you think the covers of the Roman Mysteries are good? What aspects do you like about them? What don't you like? Choose a title of a Roman Mystery that you've read and design a cover for this book that would appeal to boys. Design a cover that would appeal to girls. Now design a cover that would appeal to everybody!
VOICES FROM THE PAST: PRIMARY SOURCES
The author of the Roman Mysteries uses primary sources like letters by Pliny the Younger, history by Suetonius, poems by Catullus. Read part of a letter, speech or poem by a real historical character. Write a story around it or about it.
GREEK MYTHS AND MODERN STORYTELLING
Think about some movies or TV shows that use Greek myths (e.g. My Fair Lady is based on the myth of Pygmalion). Star Wars, The Matrix, Spiderman, Lord of the Rings all use elements of Greek mythology. Choose a famous or obscure Greek myth and make it into a modern story. Or make it into a science fiction story. Or set the story in medieval times. You get the idea...
For more ideas related to specific books in the series, check out the THEMES and TOPICS blog post.
In each of the 17 books in my Roman Mysteries series, I have consciously embedded a Greek Myth. This short guide tells which ones and also highlights the themes, topics and artefacts featured in each book. I hope teachers will find it useful.
Book 1: The Thieves of Ostia
SETTING - Ostia, the port of Rome (ITALY)
June 79 AD
Roman topic: introduction to a Roman town and social structure
Real historical characters: Cartilius Poplicola (resident of Ostia)
Sources: The Aeneid, the Bible, Ostian inscriptions
Greek myths: Aeneas, Cerberus, Perseus and Medusa
featured food: fruit, snails, stuffed dormice (ironically)
artefacts: signet ring, wax tablet, stylus, oil lamp, amphoras, dice
ROMANS #KS2
Related posts: How to Make a Stola, A Day in Ostia
Book 2: The Secrets of Vesuvius (theme: parentage and adoption)
SETTING - Ostia, Laurentum, Pompeii, Stabia (ITALY)
August 79 AD
Roman topic: the eruption of Vesuvius and destruction of Pompeii and surrounding towns
Real historical characters: Pliny the Elder, Titus Tascius Pomponianus, Rectina
Sources: Pliny the Younger, Pliny the Elder, Catullus, Ostian graffiti
Greek myths: the return of Vulcan, Thetis, Achilles
Roman festivals: Vinalia, Vulcanalia
featured food: Pliny's simple fare: cheese, fruit, eggs; Tascius' rich fare: turbot in dill sauce
key artefacts and objects: scrolls, portable inkpot and pen, flute, pan-pipes, parasol, cushions, wooden false teeth
Related posts: Children in Pompeii and Herculaneum
Book 3: The Pirates of Pompeii (theme: slavery and freedom) Nubia's book
SETTING - Stabia, Vico Equense, Sorrento (ITALY)
August/Sept 79 AD
Roman topic: Patrons and clients, slaves and freedmen
Real historical characters: The Emperor Titus, Pollius Felix (attested in a poem of Statius)
Historical site: the villa of Pollius Felix on the Cape of Sorrento, Scraio (spa town near Sorrento)
Sources: Pompeian graffiti, Statius's 'Silvae' (poems)
Greek myths: Dionysus and the pirates, Ariadne & Theseus
featured food: lemons (recently introduced); goat stew, flat bread, chickpeas, mineral water, sage tea
key artefacts and objects: earrings, hairpins, theatrical masks, lyre, flute, kylix (Greek drinking cup)
Related posts: Serendipity in Surrentum
Book 4: The Assassins of Rome (theme: guilt)
Jonathan's book
SETTING - Ostia & Rome (ITALY)
September 79 AD
Roman topic: Nero's golden house, the destruction of Jerusalem, Jewish slave labour, chariot races
Real historical characters: Emperor Titus, Berenice, Domitian, Josephus
Sources: Suetonius, Cassius Dio, Homer, Josephus, the Bible
Greek myths: Odysseus, Polyphemus the cyclops, Penelope the faithful wife
Jewish festivals: Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur, Succot
featured food: exotic oranges; buttermilk; honey dipped apples for Rosh Hashanna
key artefacts and objects: wax tablet and stylus, alabastron, loom and weights, bass lyre, tambourine
Book 5: The Dolphins of Laurentum (revenge and forgiveness) Lupus's book
SETTING - Ostia and Laurentum (ITALY)
October 79 AD
Roman topic: a real maritime villa, sponge-diving on the Greek islands
Real historical characters: Pliny the Younger
Sources: Pliny the Younger's letter about his Laurentum villa (letter II.xvii)
Greek myths: Medusa, Arion and the dolphins, Neptune & Amphitrite
Roman festival: Meditrinalia
featured food: honey glazed prawns, chicken soup
key artefacts and objects: sponge-stick, sea-sponges, dolphin earrings, anchors, ball games
Book 6: The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina (love and marriage)
Flavia's book
SETTING - Ostia (ITALY) December
79 AD
Roman topic: Love, betrothal and marriage in first century Rome
Historical site: notable buildings in and around Ostia
Sources: Ostian inscriptions, Ovid, Martial, Apollodorus
Greek myths: Twelve Tasks of Hercules, Pygmalion, Cerberus, Atalanta
Roman festival: Saturnalia
featured food: lentil stew, omelettes, plums, oysters, mushrooms, quail pie, boar, ostrich, love potion!
key artefacts and objects: sigilla (figurines), dice, objects in the household shrine, strigil and bath set
Book 7: The Enemies of Jupiter (theme: hubris)
Jonathan's book
SETTING: Ostia and Rome (ITALY)
February 80 AD
Roman topic: medicine and doctors in first century Rome
Real historical sites: Tiber Island, Palatine Hill, Capitoline Hill and the Temple of Jupiter
Sources: Suetonius, Cassius Dio, Galen, Pliny the Elder, Hippocrates
Greek myths: Prometheus and Pandora, Aesculapius, Niobe and her children
featured food: food for medicinal properties, light, medium & heavy foods, etc
key artefacts and objects: bleeding cup, votive parts of the body, medical instruments
Book 8: The Gladiators from Capua (theme: blood and sacrifice) Nubia's book
SETTING - Rome (ITALY)
March 80 AD
Roman topic: gladiators, beast-fights and the opening of the Colosseum in spring of AD 80
Real historical sites: the Flavian Amphitheatre (the Colosseum), Domus Aurea, Mons Testaccio
Real historical figures: Titus, Domitian, Carpophorus the beast-fighter, Martial
Sources: Martial, Suetonius, Cassius Dio, Ovid, Statius, Seneca, Pliny
Greek myths: Orpheus, Ganymede, Prometheus, and more
Jewish festival: Passover
featured food: barley porridge for gladiators, snacks sold at games, etc.
key artefacts and objects: gladiatorial arms and armour, ancient souvenirs, raffle balls thrown to crowds
Book 9: The Colossus of Rhodes (theme: vows and promises) Lupus's book
SETTING - Ostia, Greek islands including Patmos, Symi & Rhodes (ITALY and GREECE)
April 80 AD
Roman topics: the seven wonders of the world, ancient 'tourism'
Historical sites: Rhodes, Symi , Kalymnos
Sources: Pliny the Elder, Apollonius of Rhodes, Homer
Greek myths: Jason and the Argonauts by Apollonius of Rhodes
GREEKS #KS2 and #KS3
Related posts: The Colossus of Rhodes, Ancient Gum, Hylas
Book 10: The Fugitive from Corinth (theme: jealousy)
Nubia's book
SETTING - Corinth, Delphi, Athens (GREECE)
May 80 CE
Roman topics: Greeks in the Roman world
Historical sites: Corinth, Delphi, Athens
Sources: Pausanias, Apollodorus, Herodotus, Aeschylus
Greek myths: Theseus's Athenian adventures, Eumenides
Book 11: The Sirens of Surrentum (theme: sex and decadence) Flavia's book
SETTING - Sorrento (ITALY)
June 80 AD
Roman topics: Roman philosophy and the failed plot to kill Nero
Historical characters: Nero, Seneca, Lucan, Polla Argentaria, Flaccus
Sources: Seneca, Lucan, Suetonius, Tacitus, Statius, Propertius
Greek myths: Dido and Aeneas, Odysseus and the Sirens
ROMANS #KS3
Related posts: Villa Limona, Poison in the Garden
Book 12: The Charioteer of Delphi (theme: faithfulness)
Nubia's book
SETTING - Ostia & Rome (ITALY)
September 80 AD
Roman topics: chariot races and factions
Historical site: the Circus Maximus
Historical characters: real charioteers like Scopas, Hierax and Crescens
Sources: Ovid, Juvenal, Martial
Greek myths: Pelops and Oenomaus
Roman festivals: Ludi Romani
ROMANS #KS2 and #KS3
Related posts: Fun Chariot Facts, Names of Roman Horses
Book 13: The Slave-girl from Jerusalem (theme: death and birth) Jonathan's book
SETTING - Ostia (ITALY)
December 80 AD
Roman topics: childbirth, funerals, wills, Roman law courts, gestures of a rhetor
Historical backstory: destruction of Jerusalem and siege of Masada
Sources: Josephus, Quintilian, Cicero, Juvenal, Seneca, Roman legal documents
Greek myths: Cassandra and the Sack of Troy
featured food: pea and leek soup, mastic chewing resin, sage tea, chestnut flour
key artefacts and objects: birthing chair, funeral pyre, bier, tombs, seal-box for wills
ROMANS #KS2 and #KS3
Related posts: Roman Law Courts
Book 14: The Beggar of Volubilis (theme: piety)
Flavia's book
SETTING - Ostia, Sabratha (LIBYA), Volubilis (MOROCCO)
March 81 AD
Roman topics: Roman theatre, Cleopatra's descendants, sightings of Nero
Historical sites: Sabratha, Tripolis, Volubilis, Ghadames
Sources: Strabo, Pliny the Elder, Plutarch
Greek myths: Diana and Actaeon
featured food: millet porridge, roast locusts, lizard meat, camel-milk pancakes, senna tea, cola nuts
key artefacts and objects: bow, arrows, quiver, betrothal ring, bath-set, Nero's emerald, lens
Egypt #KS2 and #KS3
Related posts: Ugly Cleopatra, Volubilis
Book 15: The Scribes from Alexandria (theme: going home) Nubia's book
SETTING - Alexandria, stops along the Nile to Nubia (EGYPT)
May 81 AD
Roman topics: Roman Egypt especially Alexandria, eunuchs, the Great Library, the Nile
Historical sites: Canopus, Alexandria, Giza, Edfu, Aswan, Nubia
Sources: Strabo, Martial, Juvenal
Egyptian myths and legends, including story of Isis, Osiris and Seth
featured food: sun-bread, bean porridge, palm wine, onions, leaf-cups, dom-fruit
key artefacts and objects: hieroglyphs, graffiti, riddles, codes, treasure map
Egypt #KS2 and #KS3
Related posts: The Seth Animal, Upside Down Egypt
Book 16: The Prophet from Ephesus (theme: redemption) Jonathan's book
SETTING - Halicarnassus, Heracleia, Ephesus (TURKEY)
August 81 AD
Roman topics: early church in Asia Minor
Historical sites: Halicarnassus, Ephesus, Hierapolis, Laodicea
Historical characters: St John the Apostle, Tychichus
Sources: Strabo, the New Testament
Greek myths: Pluto and Persephone, Endymion and Selene
featured food: grapes from the vine, cucumber, sour cherry juice, sheep entrail kebabs, pomegranates
key artefacts and objects: dolls, travel baskets, reed flute, lyre, carpets, looms
Book 17: The Man from Pomegranate Street (theme: resolution) Flavia's book
SETTING - Ostia, Rome, Sabina, Castelgandolfo (ITALY)
Sept 81 AD
Roman topics: mysterious death of Titus in September AD 81
Historical sites: Rome, the Sabine Hills, Palace of Domitian and the Emissario on Lake Albanus
Historical characters: Titus, Domitian, Ascletario, Gaius Valerius Flaccus, Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus
Sources: Suetonius, Babylonian Talmud, Apollonius of Tyana
Greek myths: Romulus and Remus, Rape of the Sabine Women, Death of Odysseus
featured food: Sabine olive oil, brown bread, honey, grapes, imported oysters
key artefacts and objects: needle-sharp stylus, graffiti, wedding veil and the spear to part the bride's hair
[The 17 books in The Roman Mysteries are perfect for children aged 9+, especially those studying Romans as a topic in Key Stage 2. Carrying on from the Roman Mysteries, the Roman Quests is a four-book series set in Roman Britain. You can watch The Roman Mysteries on Amazon Prime.]
