This KS5 lesson is designed for OCR A Level Classical Civilisation: Imperial Image and introduces students to the study of visual sources, establishing the key differences between analysing literary and material evidence.

The lesson focuses on the aureus depicting the bare head of Octavian on the obverse and Julius Caesar wearing a laurel wreath on the reverse. Students are provided with information about the coin itself, its imagery and symbolism, alongside relevant historical context surrounding 43 BC and Octavian’s developing political position. The lesson also introduces students to how coins functioned as a form of communication and image-building in the Roman world.

Students then broaden their contextual understanding by creating an informative poster on the Second Triumvirate, helping them connect the visual source to the political events and individuals surrounding Octavian’s rise to power.

The lesson concludes with a short post-it note check-out task, allowing students to demonstrate what they have understood before leaving. This resource provides a structured introduction to visual source analysis while maintaining a student-led and task-driven approach.