Facsimiles from the educational workshop "An Investigation into the Daily Lives of Greek and Roman Children".
Duration: 90 minutes
Recommended for 4P and above
At the Foundation or in the classroom
With a Foundation mediator
Materials provided by the Foundation
An educational workshop introducing pupils to the daily lives of children in antiquity (primarily Greek and Roman). Structured around objects (and images) replicating those from 2,000 years ago, the activity invites children to conduct an investigation based on archaeological and historical clues to piece together fragments of the lives of children from that era. Topics such as games, education, clothing, food, jewellery and domestic life will be explored. The roles of children and social classes are also discussed and then compared with the daily lives of children today. By documenting the clues, pupils are also introduced to archaeological and historical methods.
The exhibition ‘Growing Up in Antiquity’ by the Hardt Foundation for the Study of Classical Antiquity (in partnership with the City of Geneva) explores the many facets of childhood in Greek and Roman antiquity and is aimed at audiences of all ages. First presented on the Geneva quays in a spectacular format in 2024, it is now available in an A1 format, enabling the exhibition to travel and be brought to life in other venues and for other audiences. Organisations wishing to host it (libraries, media centres, schools, museums, etc.) may contact the Foundation for this purpose.
Duration: between 75 and 90 minutes
Recommended for 5P and above
At the Foundation or in the classroom
With a Foundation mediator
Materials provided by the Foundation
Pupils learn about ancient medicine during this educational workshop. They take on the roles of doctors or carers tasked with treating a number of cases, from consultation to diagnosis, and then from treatment to prescribing. The patients are fictional characters from Greco-Roman antiquity, whose illnesses or injuries are inspired by real-life cases. The workshop combines reflection and interactivity and, to some extent, role-play. It also provides an opportunity to discuss the differences between medicine in the past and today. Texts, images and ancient artefacts (in the form of facsimiles) enable pupils to explore the practical and philosophical aspects of medicine from that period.
Duration: approximately 45 minutes
Recommended for 5P and above
Available exclusively at the Foundation
Led by a Foundation mediator
Materials provided by the Foundation
A hands-on activity inviting pupils to concoct ancient concoctions, the recipes for which have survived to the present day thanks to texts from that period. Perfumes, herbal teas and creams were prescribed to patients or sold to customers wishing to improve their health or enhance their appearance. This activity explores the link between hygiene, cosmetics and health, which were sometimes intertwined in ancient medicine and philosophy. General educational aspects of medicine are not covered in detail.
Duration: approximately 30 minutes
Recommended from 5P onwards
In class
Independent work (the teacher leads the activity)
Materials to be printed by the teacher
A discovery and thinking game based on cards featuring images of doctors who lived in antiquity, as well as illnesses, their symptoms and their remedies. This activity serves as an introduction to the topic of ancient medicine, focusing the discussion on those who practised medicine 2,000 years ago. Three illustrated explanatory posters complement the card game and provide an educational framework for both pupils and teachers. This activity serves as a good introduction to the two other activities on medicine.
