Ancient Places and/or Civilizations Chapters

The very land we call "ours" once belonged to others. How did ancient people live on that land? What was important to them? Are we more alike than we are different? Explore this collection to find answers.

Saint Nicholas of Bari is kind to children, protects sailors and gives generously of himself and his material possessions.

Saladin, a powerful Muslim leader, believes God has called on him to free Palestine.

Attila becomes known as the "Scourge of God," as he enlarges the territory he inherited through ruin and killing.

Each country develops its own unique holiday gift-giver; Dutch settlers in America share their Sinterklaas whose name non-Dutch speakers mispronounce ...

Michelangelo paints one of the world's most famous works of art on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. It has recently been restored.

On June 6, 1099, the First Crusaders reach Jerusalem and battle the Muslims; many die, including about 40,000 Muslims and Jews.

Although the Beowulf epic itself is shrouded in mystery, examine what is known about its origin.

Sparta is a Greece city-state which protects itself from enemies with its organized standing army.

Spinosaurus made the news in September of 2014 when paleontologists announced this dinosaur spent much of its life in water. A meat-eating creature fr...

Even with limited sunlight, Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg display many medieval stained glass treasures.

Stained glass windows tell stories of the Bible and saints to illiterate people.

In 1979, student protesters take over the U.S. embassy in Tehran and take hostages.

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