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      A bulla was considered a lucky charm and was worn by Roman children as a necklace until the boy became and man or the girl was married. It was given to them at birth and thought to ward off evil spirits (1). The above image shows a gold bulla depicting Hercules and Iolaus (2). Those children born to wealthy families would receive bullas made of gold while the less fortunate children would have leather or cloth bullas. Charms were also placed inside each one (3).

      For this assignment, each student will make their own bulla either the gold or the leather version. The gold one will be made of two decent sized aluminum bottle caps. The leather model will made of cloth and in a bag shape.

• Grade Sheet
• Instructions for both Bullas and the Bulla Gallery

End Notes:

1. Ganeri, Anita. "How Would You Survive as an Ancient Roman". The Salariya Book Co: New York. 1995.
   
2. Image courtesy of the VRoma Project (http://www.vroma.org).
   
3. Davis, William Sterns. "A Day in Old Rome". Biblo & Tannen Publishers: New York. 1959
   

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