Historical Look-Alikes: Fun Brain Break for Latin & History Classes

Give your students a laugh with our free “Historical Look-Alikes” slideshow! Compare Roman emperors and historical figures with modern celebrities and real-life museum visitors who look just like them. Perfect for Latin and history teachers.

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Patrick Mooney

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Historical Look-Alikes: A Fun Brain Break for Latin & History Classes

Give your class a quick laugh while keeping one foot in the ancient world. Our free Historical Look-Alikes slideshow pairs Roman emperors and other figures with modern celebrities (and a few uncanny museum moments). It is a zero-prep, high-engagement activity that works as a bell-ringer, brain break, or post-test reset.

Click the button below to get the slides!

Google Slides Homepage

The Slides

Side-by-side images of Jack Gleeson and a young Emperor Caligula — Jack Gleeson (Joffery from Game of Thrones) and a bust of young Emperor Caligula.

Side-by-side images of Gene Hackman and Emperor Vespasian — Gene Hackman (Rear Admiral Reigart in Behind Enemy Lines) and a statue of Emperor Vespasian.

Side-by-side images of Daniel Craig and Emperor Claudius — Daniel Craig (James Bond) and a statue of Emperor Claudius.

Side-by-side images of Donald Sutherland and Marcus Aurelius — Donald Sutherland (President Snow from The Hunger Games) and Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Side-by-side images of Eminem and Severus Alexander — Rap artist Eminem and Emperor Severus Alexander.

Side-by-side images of Elijah Wood and Emperor Gallienus — Elijah Wood (Frodo from The Lord of the Rings) and Emperor Gallienus.

Side-by-side images of Michael Fassbender and Julius Caesar — Actor Michael Fassbender and Julius Caesar

Side-by-side images of Sylvester Stallone and Pope Gregory IX — Sylvester Stallone (Rocky) and Pope Gregory IX.

Side-by-side images of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg and and King Phillip the IV — Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg and and King Phillip the IV

Side-by-side images of Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda) and Paul Revere — Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda) and Paul Revere

Museum visitor and the girl from The Broken Pitcher painting by French artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau.

Another museum visitor and Emperor Hadrian.

A museum visitor and their Jane Austen-era doppleganger.

A bearded museum-goer with their renaissance art look-alike.

Final slide with the caption: Next time you are in a museum, keep your eyes open. You might see your own look-alike. — Final Slide

Table of Contents: What is in the Presentation?

Side-by-side comparisons of historical portraits and modern look-alikes. Perfect for sparking curiosity about portraiture, style, and historical context.

Historical Figure	Modern Look-Alike
Young Caligula	Jack Gleeson
Emperor Vespasian	Gene Hackman
Emperor Claudius	Daniel Craig
Marcus Aurelius	Donald Sutherland
Severus Alexander	Eminem
Emperor Gallienus	Elijah Wood
Julius Caesar	Michael Fassbender
Pope Gregory IX	Sylvester Stallone (“Rocky”)
King Philip IV	Mark Zuckerberg
Paul Revere	Jack Black

Bonus: Museum Look-Alikes

The final slides feature real museum visitors standing beside artworks that look just like them—great for prompting students to keep an eye out on field trips.

Why Teachers Love It

Engaging: Instant smiles and discussion.
Relevant: Connects ancient art to modern pop culture.
Zero-Prep: Perfect for downtime and transitions.
Educational: Opens doors to talk about portraiture and style.

How to Use It

Brain Breaks: Quick, fun reset between lessons.
Warm-Ups: Start class with one surprising pair.
Student Challenge: Have students submit their own look-alikes.
Museum Prep: Encourage "look-alike spotting" on field trips.

Ready to try it? Open the slides above and you are set, no prep required.

Note: This presentation is intended for classroom fun and discussion. Celebrity likenesses are used purely for educational comparison.

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