Course Title             

Ancient History

Grade

9

Description

Students of Ancient History examine Western and non-Western civilizations from their beginnings until the end of the Middle Ages in Europe.  The course is a chronological and topical study of civilization.  We begin with Egypt, "The gift of the Nile” and chart its progress from unification until the peak of its imperial expansion.  We then move to Mesopotamia, "the land between the rivers" and study the extraordinary societies that developed along the Tigris and Euphrates.  We move on to the West to examine the political autonomy of the Greek city-states and their dissolution during the new age ushered in by Alexander the Great.  Rome, the city on the Tiber, is our next focus.  We chart its progress from Republic to Empire until its conquest by Christianity.  The fall of Rome brings us to the Middle Ages, and to the rich civilizations of Byzantium and Islam.  Our study ends at the beginning of the Renaissance.

Course Objectives

Students will: 

• Have a strong foundation in History from the beginnings of civilization in the Fertile Crescent until the advent of the Middle Ages.  

• Have a firm grasp of the methods of historical research and analysis. 

• Be well acquainted with primary sources. 

• Gain competence in the use of both the analytical and           descriptive essay. 

• Appreciate the importance of chronology in the understanding of history. 

• See how several overriding themes recur throughout history.

Units

1. Conditions That Led to the First Civilizations---1 week

2. Mesopotamia---4 weeks

3. Egypt---4 weeks

4. Hebrews, Phoenicians, Persians---3 weeks

5. Greeks----4 weeks

6. Romans---6 weeks

7. Christianity---2 weeks

8. Byzantium---2 weeks

9. Islam---2 weeks

10. The beginning of the Middle Ages---2 weeks

Primary Concepts

• Understand how civilization developed when and where it did.

• Know the main characteristics of Mesopotamian civilization.

• Be able to see Egyptian history in a chronological pattern.

• Understand the reasons behind the longevity of Egyptian civilization.

• Be able to explain how civilizations are born and how they die.

• Understand the strengths of Roman civilization and the weaknesses of the Greek.

• Know the impact upon the world of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Primary Skills

• Write a coherent essay on any aspect of Ancient History.

• Understand the importance of primary sources.

• See the influences of ancient history upon the modern world.

• Describe the differing theologies of the great monotheisms.

• Trace the development of technology form Egypt to Rome.

Resources

The Pageant of World History.

Selections from  Gilgamesh,  Herodotus, Thucydides, Polybius, Livy and Plutarch.