Enduring Cultures

Ancient Civilizations

 

Directions      Essential Questions     Keywords     Primary Sources     Video Streaming   
Dewey Numbers     Non-Fiction     eBooks      Fiction     EALRS    Blackline Masters    Graphic Organizer

Directions to Students:

In a cohesive paper or presentation, you will:

• State a position on how two groups responded to challenge(s) that analyzes how the two groups' responses are similar or different.
• Provide background on your position by explaining how the two roups responded to a similar challenge with two or more examples (at least one example for each group).
• Provide reason(s) for your position that include:
  
• An analysis of one or more significant similarities and/or differences related to their responses to the challenge(s).
• Make explicit references within the paper or presentation to three or more credible sources that provide relevant information AND cite sources within the paper, presentation, or bibliography.

Possible Essential Questions: Choose One

• How do different cultures deal with challenges from other invading/encroaching cultures?
• How does religion shape how different cultures interact within their society and with other cultures?
• How do different cultures deal with politics, government, and/or economic issues?
• How does physical geography contribute to the political, economic, and cultural development of a particular culture?
• What geographic factors stimulate the movement of goods, people, and ideas?
• What legacies have been left by ancient civilizations on modern society?
• What significant contributions were made that advanced science, technology, and the arts?
• How does the movement of ideas, goods, and people affect cultures?

Websites and/or Primary Sources:

1. Eternal Egypt http://www.eternalegypt.org  This sight is the result of collaboration between IBM and the Egyptian government. Well done site with images of primary sources, maps, and more.

2. The British Museum offers virtual tours, images of primary sources and information about ancient civilizations in an easy to understand format.

   • Ancient Egypt http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/menu.html and http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/world/egypt/egypt.html

   • Ancient Greece http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/menu.html and http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/world/greece/greece.html

   • Ancient Rome http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/world/rome/rome.html

3. These BBC sites contain easy to read information, virtual tours, and more.

   • Ancient Greece http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ancientgreece

   • The Romans http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/romans

4. Cleopatra: A Multimedia Guide to the Ancient World

http://www.artic.edu/cleo/index.html
An interactive guide to the Ancient Art Collection of The Art Institute of Chicago, this Web site is named after Cleopatra. She embodied the three great cultures of the ancient Mediterranean region: she was Greek by birth, ruled Egypt as its queen (from 51 to 30 B.C.), and lost her kingdom to Rome.

5. Egypt: Secrets of the Ancient World http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pyramids/
   This National Geographic site includes virtual tours, primary sources and more. The menu page is large so don't forget to scroll all the way down.

6. Mythweb http://www.mythweb.com
   Mythweb includes brief descriptions of Greek gods and heroes.

7. Odyssey Online http://carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/ Brief overview of daily life, government and geography of Egypt, Greece and Rome.
   
   
8. Carnegie Museum of Natural History  http://www.carnegiemnh.org/exhibits/egypt/dailylife.htm
   

9. These PBS websites contain information on key events, timelines, virtual tours, and links to primary sources. Designed to complement popular PBS series by the same name, users do not need to see the series to find this site useful.

   • These Egypt's Golden Empire http://www.pbs.org/empires/egypt/index.html
   • The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization http://www.pbs.org/empires/thegreeks
   • The Roman Empire: In the First Century http://www.pbs.org/empires/romans

Video Streaming:

(Note: The following is a small sample of the videos available from United Streaming.) To view a video go to United Streaming and search for your title. First time users may need the passcode. See your tech mentor or contact Kim Montecucco for passcode information.

1. Ancient Civilizations: Balancing the Budget
   The discovery of agriculture and the subsequent domestication of animals gradually led to economies based on trade. This evolution is examined in full detail in ancient Egypt. The minoans and Phoenicians, both great traders, are also studied. The process of mummification is explored, as well as the class systems of Egypt. Grade: 6-8 © 1992 TV Ontario

2. Ancient Civilizations: The End Is the Beginning
   Although no one knows conclusively why the glorious societies of ancient history declined, The End is the Beginning examines hypotheses about civilizations in Greece, Egypt, and Italy. The program illustrates that ancient civilizations fell because they did not adapt to the political and environmental changes they had precipitated.
   Grade: 6-8 © 1992 TV Ontario

3. Ancient Civilizations: Legacies
   Ancient Rome provides a powerful example in this study of how the past laid the groundwork for many developments in the Western world of today. This program examines in detail the Pantheon, the aqueducts, and the bathhouses. The Greek origin of Roman theater is traced to its roots in religion, and influential works of Sophocles and Aristophanes are explored. Grade: 6-8 © 1992 TV Ontario

4. Ancient Egypt: The Gift of the Nile (3000-30 B.C)
   Three thousand years before the rise of the Roman Empire, the Nile River gave birth to one of the most wondrous civilizations ever to grace the earth-Ancient Egypt. Students explore the colossal tombs and temples of the pharaohs. They learn how the Egyptians built mountains of stone to honor dead kings and queens and protect their mummies forever. Students meet Re, the sun god, and Horus, the protector of kings. Ancient Egyptian civilization finally passed into history, but the river remains.
   Grade: 6-8 © 1997 United Learning

5. Discovering Ancient Greece (1500-100 B.C.)
   Beautiful live-action photography, combined with architectural reconstruction's and ancient works of art, take students on a voyage into a long-lost world. Students visit Mycenae, site of the palace of Agamemnon; the ruins of the once great city-state of Corinth; and the great theater and center of medicine at Epidauros. Students explore the ancient temples, gymnasium, and stadium at Olympia, where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C. At Delphi, they discover some of the secrets of this great religious center where, for over 1000 years, Oracles uttered prophesies that shaped the course of civilization. Finally, students visit ancient Athens, the birthplace of democracy, and discover some of the marvelous events that occurred during the "Golden Age". Grade: 6-8 © 1995 United Learning

6. Elementary Video Adventures: Life in Ancient Rome
   Discover the daily life of Rome's citizens at the height of the Roman Empire. Examine concrete, the sturdy new construction material Romans used to build the Colosseum and aqueducts. And show students how the foundation of modern democracy was laid in ancient Rome. Grade: 3-5 © 2000 Discovery Channel School

7. Living History: Living in Ancient Egypt
   This wonderful program takes a look at what it was like to live in Ancient Egypt. Students will discover the amazing role religion played in the lives, and deaths, of the Ancient Egyptians. Beautifully filmed on location in Egypt, this twenty-minute program examines various aspects of daily life during Ancient times and learns the important role the Nile River played in sustaining the ordinary people who helped build this great civilization. Grade: 6-8 © 2000 United Learning

8. Living History: Living in Ancient Greece
   Filmed on location at historic sites across Greece, this program takes a look at how life was lived in a Greek town over 2,500 years ago.Grade: 6-8 © 2000 United Learning

9. Living History: Living in the Roman Empire
   The Roman civilizations sprang from humble beginnings, yet came to rule most of Europe, and parts of Africa and Asia, through a steady rise of power-and then collapsed. This program examines the history and the civilization of ancient Rome. Filmed on location in many of the countries that once made up the mighty Roman Empire, the program teaches students about the Romans' religion, pastimes, military prowess, and all-powerful government. Grade: 6-8 © 2000 United Learning

10. The Nile: Where Egypt Began
    Investigates the birth and growth of the Egyptian civilization along the banks of the river Nile. Through these examples, students learn how civilization developed and why it is crucial to the survival of humankind. Produced by Discovery Channel School.
    Grade: 9-12 © 2004 Discovery Channel School

11. World History: Ancient Civilizations
    This library of videos contains segments about early civilizations in Greece and Rome. • Ancient Greek Philosophy (5 min.) • Greek Mythology (7 min.) • Rome: The Early Republic (5 min.) • Spartan Warriors (5 min.) • Alexander the Great (6 min.) • Rise of the Roman Empire (8 min.) Grade 6 - 8 ©1993 Rainbow Educational Media

12. World of Ancient Rome (753 B.C. - 476 A.D.)
    Through live-action footage from the city of Rome and Roman provincial towns in Britain and from archival material, students learn about the once all-powerful Rome and its Empire and the many contributions that Rome made to modern civilization. Students learn about Rome's humble beginning in 753 B.C., its forms of government, the Pax Romana, and the division of the Empire and fall of Rome in 476 A.D. Roman architecture, religion, entertainment, engineering, Hardrian's Wall, slavery, and the relationship between Christianity and Rome are probed to provide student with extensive knowledge of this enlightening period in history. Grade: 6-8 © 1994 United Learning

Dewey Numbers:

• 292 & 299 Religion and Mythology
• 306 Ancient Communication
• 320 Anicent Government
• 393 Burial History
• 493.1 Hieroglyphs
• 509 & 609 Technology in Ancient Times
• 610 Ancient Medicine 
• 726 Temples
• 913 Ancient Civilizations
• 932 Ancient Egypt
• 937 Ancient Rome 
• 938 Ancient Greece
• 949.5 Greece (These books may have chapters on Ancient Greece) 
• 962 Modern Egypt (These books may have chapters on Ancient Egypt) 

Non-Fiction:

Series: Primary Sources of Civilizations: Greece

Apel, Melanie Ann.PowerKids Press, 2004., 24p
Ancient Greece is one of the most influential civilizations in history. The birthplace of democracy and home to some of the greatest minds of all time, ancient Greece's history, daily life, economy and more are examined in these full-color texts. Illustrated through primary source imagery these books provide a unique approach to exploring an important and intriguing civilization. Titles include the following:

• Art and religion in ancient Greece.
• Economy and industry in ancient Greece
• Land and resources of ancient Greece
• Politics and government in ancient Greece
• Technology of ancient Greece

Series: Primary Sources of Civilizations: Egypt

Kaplan, Leslie C. PowerKids Press, 2004., 24p
From artifacts such as the writing implements used by King Tutankhamen's scribe, to tomb paintings that illustrate irrigation systems or life in the home, these books are jam-packed with the primary sources that bring the past to life. Each book also features a primary source listing, which includes information about each document, artifact, or painting. Titles in this series include the following:

• Economy and industry in ancient Egypt.
• Home life in ancient Egypt
• Land and resources of ancient Egypt
• Politics and government in ancient Egypt
• Technology of ancient Egypt

Series: Primary Sources of Civilizations: Rome

Gedacht, Daniel C. PowerKids Press, 2004., RL 7.1, 24p
Ancient Roman civilization has long been studied what propelled this society to such great heights and to learn why it fell. Primary source imagery, artifacts, and interesting, kid-friendly text will keep students engaged as they learn about ancient world cultures- an important part of the curriculum.

• Art and religion in ancient Rome
• Economy and industry in ancient Rome
• Home life in ancient Rome
• Land and resources of ancient Rome
• Politics and government in ancient Rome
• Technology of ancient Rome

Series: Timelines of Ancient Civilizations

Armentrout, David. Rourke Pub., c2004., RL 5.1, 32p
This informative series presents a clearly written text and a collection of vivid full-color illustrations sure to make its educational content spring to life in young reader's minds. Organized in a learning-friendly timeline format, this series chronicles the key historical events of the ancient world of six key geographical areas. Titles in this series include the following:

• Egypt
• Greece
• Rome

1. Ardagh, Philip.The Romans. P. Bedrick, NTC/Contemporary, 2000, c1999., 62p
   Describes the religion, society, economy, and culture of ancient Rome.

2. Davis, Kevin A. Look what came from Greece. F. Watts, c1999., 32p
   Describes many things that originally came from Greece, including inventions, entertainment, sports, government, medicine, architecture, food, and words. Lexile: 870

3. Ford, Michael. You wouldn't want to be a Greek athlete!: Races you'd rather not run. Franklin Watts, 2004., 32p
   Cartoons and facts combine to explain what it was like to be an athlete in ancient Greece, discussing the realities of training, military service, sacrifices, competitions, rivalries, and other aspects of sports. Lexile: 920

4. Harvey, Miles. Look what came from Egypt. Franklin Watts, c1998., RL 4.5, 32p
   Describes many familiar inventions, foods, customs, tools, toys and games, fasions, and more that originated in ancient Egypt. Lexile: 780

5. Kaplan, Leslie C. Art and religion in ancient Egypt. PowerKids Press, 2004., 24p
   Describes the religion and artwork of ancient Egypt, including gods and goddesses, life after death, magic, and the tombs.

6. Macdonald, Fiona. You wouldn't want to be a slave in ancient Greece!: a life you'd rather not have. Franklin Watts, c2000., 32p
   Looks at the life of a Scythian woman after she is captured and sold into slavery in Greece in the fifth century B.C. Lexile: 830

7. Malam, John. Ancient Egyptian jobs. Heinemann Library, c2003., RL 6.3, 48p
   Provides information about ancient Egypt, focusing on the many different jobs people did to help the society and culture thrive.

8. Malam, John. Ancient Mesopotamia. Gareth Stevens Pub., 2005., RL 6.2, 32p
   Contains fourteen articles that examine significant people, places, events, and topics in the history of ancient Mesopotamia, including religion, mythology, writing and law, farming, and the people, each with illustrations and a case study.

9. Malam, John. You wouldn't want to be a Roman gladiator!: Gory things you'd rather not know. F. Watts, c2000., RL 4.8, 32p
   A lighthearted introduction to the life and training of a Roman gladiator. Lexile: 810

10. Morley, Jacqueline. You wouldn't want to be a pyramid builder!: A hazardous job you'd rather not have. F. Watts, 2004., 32p
    Describes the construction of an Egyptian pharaoh's tomb, the life and various jobs of the workers, and the burial of the pharaoh. Lexile: 940

11. Spires, Elizabeth.I am Arachne: fifteen Greek and Roman myths. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001., RL 5.9, 97p
    A retelling of fifteen Greek and Roman myths from the point of view of the main protagonist.

12. Stewart, David.You wouldn't want to be an Egyptian mummy!: Disgusting things you'd rather not know. F. Watts, c2000., RL 8.6, 32p
    A lighthearted approach to the process of mummification in ancient Egypt. Lexile: 950

eBooks:

These electronic (written not audio) books are available through the Evergreen Library for Mead School District staff only. They may be shown through your computer and projector and read aloud in class. For instructions on how to access and use these books email Trish Henry at thenry@mead.k12.wa.us. Please include your name and school.

1. Middleton, Haydn.Cleopatra: the queen of dreams.ipicturebooks.com, 2004, c1997., 31p
   A biography of the Egyptian queen who gained and maintained power over her kingdom through her alliance with Julius Caesar and later Marc Antony.

2. Reece, Katherine E.The Greeks leaders in democracy. Rourke Pub., c2006., RL 7.7
   Contains an overview of ancient Greece, in simple text with illustrations, including information on the first people of the region, its history, geography, art, architecture, trade, and beliefs.

3. Reece, Katherine E. The Romans builders of an empire, c2006., RL 6.8
   Investigates the civilization of ancient Rome, explaining where it was located, discussing who lived there, the conduct of daily life, what people ate and wore, trade and commerce, beliefs and gods, philosophy, science, art, and architecture, and looking at Rome and Romans in the modern world.   

Fiction:

1. Curry, Jane Louise. The Egyptian box. Margaret K. McElderry Books, c2002., RL 4.4, 186p
   Tee is happy to find that the ancient Egyptian box she inherits holds a spirit who will serve her, until she notices changes in her servant's appearance and behavior. Lexile: 890

2. Denenberg, Barry. Atticus of Rome : 30 B.C. Scholastic, 2004., RL 8.9, 166p
   In ancient Rome, Atticus, a young slave purchased by a wealthy and powerful lawyer, finds that he is completely invisible to the people from whom he must gather information in order to help foil a plot against the Emperor.

3. Fleischman, Paul. Weslandia. Candlewick Press, 2002, c1999., RL 3.5, 34p
   Wesley's garden produces a crop of huge, strange plants which provide him with clothing, shelter, food, and drink, thus helping him create his own civilization and changing his life. Lexile: 820

4. Gregory, Kristiana. Cleopatra VII : daughter of the Nile. Scholastic, c1999., RL 5.6, 221p
   While her father is in hiding after attempts on his life, twelve-year-old Cleopatra records in her diary how she fears for her own safety and hopes to survive to become Queen of Egypt some day. Lexile: 920

5. Johnston, Tony. The mummy's mother. Blue Sky Press, c2003., RL 5.7, 160p
   When his mother is stolen from her tomb, Ramose, a 4000-year-old mummy, tries to find her in the Egyptian desert, aboard an ocean liner, and in New York City's Metropolitan Museum. Lexile: 530

6. Lawrence, Caroline. The fugitive from Corinth (The Roman Mysteries - Book X) Roaring Brook Press, c2006.
   Flavia and her friends pursue tutor Aristo from Corinth to Athens when he escapes after being accused of committing a brutal attack on Flavia's father.

7. Lawrence, Caroline. The gladiators from Capua. Roaring Brook Press, c2006., RL 6.3, 198p
   Suspecting their friend Jonathan is alive, Flavia, Nubia, and Lupus go to Rome for the Colosseum Games, facing wild beasts, criminals, conspirators, and gladiators, and where Nubia is called upon to make a terrible choice.

8. McGraw, Eloise Jarvis. The golden goblet. Puffin Books, 1986, c1961., RL 4, 248p
   A young Egyptian boy struggles to reveal a hideous crime and reshape his own destiny. Lexile: 930

9. Mitchell, Jack. The Roman conspiracy. Tundra Books , Tundra Books of Northern New York, c2005., RL 4.4, 164p
   Aulus Lucinus Spurinna becomes caught up in a tangle of conspiracies, mystery, and danger when he travels to the city of Rome in the last days of the Roman Republic in an effort to find someone who can help save his family's land.

10. Riordan, Rick. The lightning thief. Miramax Books/Hyperion Books for Children, c2005., RL 4.9, 377p
    Percy, expelled from six schools for being unable to control his temper, learns the truth from his mother that his father is the Greek god Poseidon, and is sent to Camp Half Blood where he is befriended by a satyr and the demigod daughter of Athena who join him in a journey to the Underworld to retrieve Zeus's lightning bolt and prevent a catastrophic war. Lexile: 740

11. Rubalcaba, Jill. A place in the sun. Puffin Books, 1998, c1997., RL 4.2, 86p
    In ancient Egypt, the gifted young son of a sculptor is taken into slavery when he attempts to save his father's life, and is himself almost killed before his exceptional talent leads Pharaoh to name him Royal Sculptor. Lexile: 650

12. Scieszka, Jon. It's all Greek to me (Time Warp Trio Series). Viking, 1999., RL 4, 73p
    As they are about to go on stage, Joe, Fred, and Sam are transported back to the time of Zeus and the other gods in Greek mythology, who, strangely enough, behave much as the characters in the trio's class play. Series also includes Tut Tut and See Ya Lator Gladiator. Lexile: 530

13. Winterfeld, Henry. Detectives in togas. Harcourt, 2002, c1956., RL 6.2, 249p
    In an effort to save a boy wrongly accused, a group of young friends living in ancient Rome search for the culprit who scrawled graffiti on the temple wall. Lexile: 700

14. Yolen, Jane. Odysseus in the serpent maze (Young Heroes Series). HarperTrophy, 2002, c2001., RL 4.7, 248p
    Thirteen-year-old Odysseus, who longs to be a hero, has many opportunities to prove himself during an adventure which involves pirates and satyrs, a trip to Crete's Labyrinth, and the two young girls, Penelope and Helen, who play a major role in his future life. Lexile: 630

Note: Book and video information is provided by the publisher. All titles listed have been previewed and are available through the Evergreen Elementary Library. Please note Evergreen students and staff have first priority. If you would like to borrow a title for short term use or to preview it, please let me know. Trish Henrythenry@mead.k12.wa.us

EALRs:

Social Studies Inquiry and Information Skills 1.1.2f: Create a product that was social studies content to support findings; present product in an appropriate manner to a meaningful audience.

History 1.3.2: Examine the development of different cultures in Washington State, U.S., and world history.

Social Studies Skills 1.1.2d: Recognize relevant facts and ideas in social studies documents: evaluate bias of sources/authors; classify information as fact/opinion. 

Blackline Masters:

From Colbert Elementary

• How to get started (for students)
• Syllabus (for students) Includes due dates.