The Complete Ancient History Course
1. Deserts & River Civilizations
- Geography & Migration: Earliest Kingdoms • World & Mediterranean migration maps
- Environment & Power: Desert/River Domination labs
- Innovation: Origins of Writing • First Law Codes
- Trade Networks: Mediterranean Migrations & Trade simulation
2. Judaism & Christianity
- Foundational Narratives: Canaan • Covenant • Exodus
- Law & Kingship: Ten Commandments • Saul, David, Solomon
- Exile & Hope: Kingdom & Fall of Judah • Temple Destruction
- Messianic Age: New Testament Stories • Sermon on the Mount • Early Church
- Church & Empire: Christianity before & under Constantine • Constantinople
3. Ancient Greece
- Foundations: Agon, Minoans (sample lesson), Mycenaeans, Trojan War
- City‑State Experiment: Athenian vs. Spartan culture • Developing Government
- Unity & Conflict: Persian Wars • Panhellenic Games
- Golden Age: Pericles • Parthenon • Classical ideals in art, drama, philosophy
- Hellenistic World: Philip & Alexander • Spread of Greek thought
4. Ancient Rome
- Origins & Republic: Latins & Etruscans • Government structure • Struggle of the Orders
- Expansion: Punic Wars • Conquest of Greece • Julius Caesar’s rise
- Imperial Zenith: Pax Romana • Roman law & engineering • Virgil’s Aeneid
- Faith & Philosophy: Stoics like Marcus Aurelius • Growth of Christianity
- Transformation: Constantine • Decline factors (economic, military, political) • Legacy of Rome
Sample Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students will:
- Explain how geography influenced early civilizations in deserts and river valleys.
- Trace the covenant theme from ancient Israel through early Christianity.
- Analyze Greek contributions to government, philosophy, and the arts.
- Evaluate Rome’s political evolution and its impact on later Western institutions.
- Apply classical virtues—courage, moderation, justice—to modern challenges.