Ancient History Presentations
The Neolithic Revolution
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The discovery of farming was the biggest single achievement in the development of human society. From this knowledge would grow the great civilizations of our history.
Topics covered in this presentation include:
• SLIDES: 41 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 8 CLIPS TOTALLING 39 MINUTES |
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Mesopotamia: Sumer
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Mesopotamia is known as the cradle of civilization. The wheel, writing, and advanced irrigation works all originated here. This region was host to many great civilizations but the first was Sumer. This presentation looks at the advantages and challenges of the region along with the achievements of the first great civilization of the Sumerians.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Geography of Mesopotamia ♦ The Great Civilizations of Mesopotamia ♦ Rise of Sumerian Civilization ♦ Challenges and Solutions of Geography ♦ Growth of Trade ♦ City Planning ♦ The Invention of Writing ♦ The Invention of the Wheel ♦ Warfare in Sumer ♦ The Standard of Ur • SLIDES: 29 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 3 CLIP TOTALLING 16 MINUTES |
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Sargon of Akkad
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Sargon the Great is credited with creating the world's first empire - multicultural and centrally controlled. What we know about him is limited and is interwoven with legends and myths as later civilizations of Mesopotamians, including the Babylonians and Assyrians, glorified and revered him.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Archaeological Discovery of Sargon ♦ His Birth Legend ♦ Rise to Power ♦Expansion of His Empire ♦ Warfare During His Era ♦ The Importance of Trade ♦ Administrative Reforms ♦ Enheduanna - Daughter of Sargon, High Priestess, Poet ♦ Sargon's Legacy • SLIDES: 36 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 3 CLIP TOTALLING 7 MINUTES |
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Ancient Babylon: And the Code of Hammurabi
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Ancient Babylon was the greatest city of the ancient world. Revered by ancient and modern scholars alike - this city was the birth place of one of the world's first law codes, home to ancient wonders such as the Hanging Gardens, the Ishtar Gate, and possibly even the fabled Tower of Babel. Every civilization of the region fought to possess the city and in the end it fell as a result.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Founding of Babylon ♦ Hammurabi and His Law Code ♦ Babylonian Religion ♦ Assyrian Domination ♦ Neo-Babylonian Empire ♦ Nebuchadnezzar II ♦ Hanging Gardens ♦ The End of Babylon • SLIDES: 40 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 5 CLIP TOTALLING 19 MINUTES |
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Assyria: Iron Age Empire
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This powerful Iron-Age empire was one of the most brutally efficient and aggressive of the ancient world. It utilized the newest technology available, including iron, to build the largest empire the world had yet seen.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ The Old Assyrian Kingdom ♦ The Middle Assyrian Kingdom ♦ The Bronze Age Collapse ♦ The Neo-Assyrian Empire ♦ Assyrian Military ♦ Assyrian Siege-Warfare ♦ Living under Assyrian Rule ♦ Fall of Assyria • SLIDES: 35 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 3 CLIP TOTALLING 12 MINUTES |
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The Unification of Egypt
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The unification of Egypt began the rise of one of the longest lasting civilizations in history. Based on the Nile river and with an abundance of natural resources, Egypt was destined to be a unique and stable society.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Geography of Egypt ♦ The First Egyptians ♦ Natural Protection of the Region ♦ The Unification of Egypt ♦ The Narmer Palette This class takes approximately 60-minutes when combined with the reflection questions. There are four links to Youtube in the presentation. The videos total ~17 minutes. • SLIDES: 21 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 4 CLIPS TOTALLING 17 MINUTES |
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Egyptian Religion
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The Egyptian's connection with death and resurrection was central to their worldview. Their spiritual beliefs were shaped by their natural world and provided guidance to their lives.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ The Nature of Egyptian Religion ♦ The Different Gods and Goddesses ♦ Egyptian Priests ♦ The Book of the Dead ♦ The Egyptian Afterlife ♦ Mummification ♦ The Impact of Religion on Egyptian Society • SLIDES: 35 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 2 CLIPS TOTALLING 13 MINUTES |
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Egypt: The Old Kingdom
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The Old Kingdom of Egypt was the age of the Pyramids. This society, so wealthy and secure, was able to build wonders that stand the test of time. It produced the world's first genius, Imhotep, and began the tradition of the god-king known as the pharaoh.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ The Nature of the Pharaoh ♦ Government of the Old Kingdom ♦ Society of the time ♦ Religion ♦ Construction & Significance of the Pyramids ♦ The Genius of Imhotep ♦ The End of the Old Kingdom • SLIDES: 35 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 5 CLIPS TOTALLING 14 MINUTES |
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Egyptian Society: Everyday Life
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Life in Egypt remained relatively unchanged for hundreds and thousands of years. Family was crucial important as was their religion. From this resource blessed region developed one of the greatest societies of the ancient world.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ The Role of the Pharaoh ♦ Government and Power ♦ The Army ♦ Trade and Diplomacy ♦ Temple Life ♦ The Family Structure ♦ Education ♦ Farming Life and Egyptian Jobs ♦ Hieroglyphic and Hieratic Script ♦ Medicine and Magic • SLIDES: 28 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS |
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Egypt: The New Kingdom
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The New Kingdom of Egypt produced some of the most remarkable monuments and pharaohs in history. Egypt expanded past its traditional borders and dominated the Bronze-Age World.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ The Hyksos ♦ Ahmose I ♦ Hatshepsut ♦ Thutmose III ♦ Battle of Megiddo ♦ Amenhotep III ♦ Amarna Letters ♦ Akhenaten's Religious Revolution ♦ The Aten ♦ King Tut ♦ Ramesses II The Great ♦ Battle of Kadesh ♦ Fall of the Egyptian Empire • SLIDES: 91 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 22 CLIPS TOTALLING 92 MINUTES |
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Ancient Greece: Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations
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The Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations existed in a time that the Greeks called the heroic age, a time when Achilles fought Hector and when Heracles completed his twelve labours. In reality it was Bronze Age Greece and these two civilizations would lay the foundation for what would become Ancient Greece.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Geography of Greece and the Aegean ♦ The Development of Minoan civilization ♦ Linear A ♦ Minoan art ♦ Women in Minoan civilization ♦ Decline of the Minoans ♦ The development of Mycenaean civilization ♦ Linear B ♦ Mycenaeans warriors ♦ Collapse of the Mycenaean civilization ♦ The Greek Dark Ages • SLIDES: 30 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS |
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Ancient Greece: Mythology
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The mythology of the Greeks was not just stories to guide their lives - they considered it their very history. Today, they provide us with some of the most compelling stories from our ancient past.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ The Impact of Mythology on Greek Society ♦ The Legend of the Trojan War ♦ Homer ♦ The Gods and Goddesses ♦ Greek Heroes ♦ Greek Religious Customs ♦ Sanctuaries, Temples, and Oracles ♦ The Parthenon ♦ Religion as a Cultural Unifier • SLIDES: 47 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 1 CLIPS TOTALLING 2 MINUTES |
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Ancient Greece: Development of Democracy
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Greece is the birthplace of democracy and the story of that development is fascinating. Seen as more than just a right by the citizens of Athens, it was a duty and it was something they were willing to die for.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Early Government in Greece ♦ The influence of Greek Hoplites on government ♦ Draco and Athens' Code of Law ♦ Solon and the council of 400 ♦ Pisistratus and Hippias ♦ Isagoras and the Spartan Invasion ♦ Cleisthenes and the birth of democracy ♦ Ostracism • SLIDES: 37 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 6 CLIPS TOTALLING 24 MINUTES |
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Ancient Greece: Sparta
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The Greek city-state Sparta was one of the harshest and most militant societies in history. Despite a relatively small population, this society dominated the Greek peninsula for centuries. This presentation, which includes links to youtube, examines how that society rose to become the military power house of Ancient Greece.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Spartan Government ♦ Reforms of Lycurgus ♦ Education ♦ Spartan Army ♦ Spartan Weapons ♦ Role of Spartan Women ♦ Famous Spartan Quotes • SLIDES: 23 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 7 CLIPS TOTALLING 20 MINUTES |
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Ancient Greece: The Greco-Persian War
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At the beginning of the 5th century BCE, the small, independent city-states of Greece were in danger of being swallowed up by the massive Persian Empire. Had the Greeks not successfully defended their freedom at this critical point in the development of their culture, it is difficult to imagine how different the history of the western world would have been.
Topics covered in this presentation include:
• SLIDES: 58 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 15 CLIPS TOTALLING 72 MINUTES |
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Ancient Greece: The Golden Age of Athens and the Peloponnesian War
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For a brief shining moment in history the cultural heart of the Western World was Athens. From this city, democracy, philosophy, culture, and the arts were the centre of this society. This all came to a violent end when war erupted with Athen's eternal rival Sparta.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ The Delian League ♦ Athens as a beacon for the Arts ♦ Philosophy and Socrates ♦ Pericles ♦ The Acropolis and the Parthenon ♦ The Peloponnesian League ♦ The Peloponnesian War ♦ Aftermath of the War ♦ The Rise of Macedonia • SLIDES: 46 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 6 CLIPS TOTALLING 27 MINUTES |
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Alexander The Great
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Alexander Great is an individual who had a tremendous impact on the world. His stunning military achievements and opening up Europe to a much greater world would change the course of human history. The blending of cultures begun by his invasion of Asia would enrich the Western World for centuries to come.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Macedonia ♦ Philip the Great ♦ Alexander becoming King ♦ Invasion of Asia ♦ Alexander in Egypt ♦ Gaugamela ♦ Central Asia and India ♦ Discontent in the Army ♦ Death of Alexander ♦ Breakup of the Empire ♦ The Hellenistic World • SLIDES: 28 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS |
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Ancient Rome: Birth of the Republic
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Rome began as a small village on a hill by a river. It grew into one of the greatest empires in history. The story of how that journey began is a mix of legend and truth. From this mix arose a society that still influences us today.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Geography of Italy ♦ Origins of the Roman State ♦ Mythical origins of Rome ♦ The influence of the Etruscans ♦ Patricians and Plebeians ♦ Evolution of democracy in Rome • SLIDES: 45 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 2 CLIPS TOTALLING 11 MINUTES |
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Ancient Rome: The Punic Wars
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Two great empires would face off in a series of devastating conflicts: Carthage and Rome. Only one would emerge as the ruler of the Mediterranean World.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ A brief background on Carthage ♦ The Carthaginian Navy ♦ The Roman Army ♦ The First Punic War ♦ The Second Punic War ♦ Hannibal's march over the Alps and into Italy ♦ Battle of Cannae ♦ Scipio Africanus ♦ The Third Punic War ♦ Destruction of Carthage • SLIDES: 50 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 13 CLIPS TOTALLING 45 MINUTES |
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Ancient Rome: Rise of the Roman Generals and the Fall of the Republic
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During the 1st century BCE, Rome was the preeminent power in the Mediterranean world. With that power came wealth and corruption. The only individuals who were able to maintain control were the generals. These generals would eventual take complete control and the Republic with all its ideals would fall. In its place would rise the Empire and the Emperors.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Military Reforms of Gaius Marius ♦ The Struggles between Marius and Sulla ♦ Spartacus and the Slave Rebellion ♦ First Triumvirate ♦ The Great Roman Civil War ♦ Assassination of Julius Caesar ♦ Second Triumvirate ♦ The Rise of Augustus Caesar • SLIDES: 44 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 9 CLIPS TOTALLING 23 MINUTES |
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Ancient Rome: Culture and Innovation During the Pax Romana
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During the Pax Romana Rome was at the height of its power and influence. During this period the Romans developed technologies that would be the wonder of the world and, after the fall or Rome, would not be duplicated for centuries.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Trade, ♦ Roads ♦ Art and Architecture ♦ Bath-houses ♦ Life for a Roman family ♦ Entertainment such as chariot races and gladiator fights ♦ The legacy left by Rome for the modern world • SLIDES: 74 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 10 CLIPS TOTALLING 29 MINUTES |
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Ancient Rome: Birth and Spread of Christianity
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The beginnings of Christianity began slowly but once it began rolling it spread quickly. Against the backdrop of the Roman Empire this new religion found converts and would ultimately change the very civilization that had sought to repress it.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Religion in Rome pre-Christian ♦ Judaism and Rome in Judea ♦ Jesus Christ ♦ Paul the Apostle ♦ Spread of Christianity ♦ Women in Christianity ♦ Persecution and Nero ♦ Constantine the Great ♦ State Religion • SLIDES: 28 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 5 CLIPS TOTALLING 22 MINUTES |
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Ancient Rome: Hypatia of Alexandria and the End of the Classical World
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Discover the life of this remarkable woman set against the backdrop of the declining Roman Empire and amongst self-serving, ambitious leaders using the fledgling religion of Christianity to create a power-base of fundamentalists. An important lesson for the modern world and critical to any Rome unit.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ The City of Alexandria ♦ Famous Buildings of Alexandria: Lighthouse, Library, Temple ♦ Hypatia's Early Life ♦ Role of Women in Late Antiquity ♦ Christianity in the Early 5th Century ♦ Struggles Between Secular and Religious Leaders ♦ Death of Hypatia ♦ Religious Extremism taking over Alexandria • SLIDES: 33 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 4 CLIPS TOTALLING 29 MINUTES |
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Ancient Rome: Fall of the Roman Empire
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The fall of the Roman Empire did not happen because of one reason. A number of factors contributed to the weakening of the state before if finally crumbled in the West in the late 5th century. It would continue in the East for many centuries though culturally it would evolve into something quite different than the Rome of Caesar.
Topics covered in this presentation include: ♦ Splitting of the Empire into East and West ♦ Government Corruption ♦ Economic Problems of Unemployment and Slavery ♦ Overexpansion ♦ Weakening of the Roman Army ♦ Christianity ♦ Barbarian Invasions ♦ Alaric, Attila the Hun, and Odoacer ♦ A Brief Epilogue about the Byzantium Empire • SLIDES: 42 • HANDOUTS: CLOZE NOTES & REFLECTION QUESTIONS • VIDEOCLIPS: 7 CLIPS TOTALLING 43 MINUTES |
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