One from the "Memory Box": A Roman School Project

This was a school project my youngest son did when he was seven (or at most eight), it still amazes me as to how good he got it (see below, two of the most glorious Roman shields I have ever seen): 

Then, on his own initiative, his little inventive mind came up with this game based on the idea of "Escape from Pompeii" (see below, an old Soduku board turned into the streets of Pompeii complete with erupting Volcano in the centre!): 

The volcano action starts and the lava starts flowing, you are a legionnaire who has been tasked by his Centurion to go and rescue his family and take then down to a ship in the harbour to escape. Meanwhile, he (the Centurion) in stoic Roman fashion will steadfastly attend to his duties to the last (see below, the yellow counters are dangerous but passable lava):

Unexpected dangers await, such as escaped armed slaves from Ancient Briton that have to be dealt with in the traditional Roman Army way (see below, 28mm Warlord Games classic figures come to blows as the city disintegrates): 

The hand-to-hand battle continues apace as the lava flows (see below, this could be a classic lose-lose situation as the winner if he took too long would be covered in lava - nice! Note: The yellow lava can be circumnavigated by a "one time use of a shield" as a temporary stepping stone):  

A close up of the fist-i-cuff action (see below, figures two 28mm classics from Warlord Games, the Early Imperial Roman Legionary and an Ancient Briton - don't ask what the Briton is doing in Pompeii): 

Things are getting serious as the red lava (totally unpassable) starts cutting off the escape routes (see below. the legionnaire is about to lose a shield in a desperate attempt to escape):  

Success, the loyal Legionnaire finds his beloved Centurion's family cowering in a house, scared out of their wits. Heart-broken and tear-stained they hear of his fate but they are ushered to safety by the Centurion's trusted man who risked his life for them (see below, one of Rome's finest thanks the gods for favouring him as they board the boat [etched on the cardboard] underneath heading out of the harbour): 

Good family fun!