Ancient Places and/or Civilizations Story Briefs

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.

Achilles is extremely upset that Hector (Hektor) has killed Patroclus and grieves over the body of his dead friend and cousin.

This red-figure vase, from the 4th century B.C. It depicts an important story from ancient times.

Pelops, a key character in ancient Greek mythology, is the namesake for the southern part of Greeces mainland.

The myth of Perseus, the son of Zeus

Once a beautiful maiden, Medusa became a monster so frightening that all who looked on her turned to stone.

A demigod, Perseus could accomplish incredible feats that no mortal ever could.

During ancient times, Persians used scythed chariots in war. Although frightful to their opponents, these knifed chariots could be defended again.

The word "Pesach" is pronounced PAY-sahch, with the "ch" sounding like the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch."  It stands for "Passover," a holy da...

One of the wonders of the ancient world, the lighthouse at Alexandria, Egypt was located on the island of Pharos.

After the ancient Olympics were no-longer held, and the buildings were destroyed either by man or by nature, many of the ruins were covered with flood...

When Florence Bascom (1862-1945) attended Johns Hopkins University, to pursue a doctorate in geology, she had to sit behind a screen so male students ...

Achilles realized that Polyxena, whom he loved, had betrayed him.

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