Ancient History

Mr. Schmidtberger
Objectives:
• Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the dynamics of culture and civilization
• Understand the Geography of the Ancient World (maps)
• Learn and understand how the ancients viewed their world and how it operated
• Identify key Facts, Dates, People, Places, and Events the molded and changed the Ancient
world
• Understand the culture in which various religions were birthed: Hinduism, Judaism,
Christianity, Confucianism, and Islam

Teaching Method
1. Traditional Lecture
2. Discussion - see explanation below
3. Assigned readings from our textbook
4. Assessment - tests, quizzes, and projects
5. Practicum - field trips and critical thinking

Assessment
• Quizzes - You will have 15 quizzes throughout the semester. Each is 10 points, for a
semester total of 150. These will be at the end of every week.
• Tests - 4 total spread throughout the semester. Each test will be 100 points.
• Participation - This is a subjective grade determined by your teacher. Each week is worth
25 points for a semester total of 500 points. This is the majority of your grade.
Participation is determined by:
➡ Discussion - I understand as a whole this class is weak at discussing concepts. If you do
not contribute daily to discussion, you will not get full credit. Your comments in class
can be original, or personal insights from your engaged, careful reading assignments.
➡ Preparedness and Punctuality - You must come to class on time and prepared, with
your textbook and other homework assignments, notebook and writing utensil. Unless
given specific permission from myself, students are not allowed to bring their laptop to
class.
➡ Attentiveness - Clearly demonstrated by note-taking. Frequently I will give handouts,
outlines, and teach using the blackboard and powerpoint. These are teaching aids;
students must focus on what I am saying, not necessarily what I am writing. Look for
the point of emphasis.
➡ Demeanor - Do not distract your classmates, instead encourage them to pay attention
and contribute to class discussion. Eating is not allowed in class, nor is chewing gum or
using cell phones without permission. If used, they will be confiscated and turned into
the office where your parents/guardians must come pick them up.
➡ Absent - If a student is excused from school or class, he/she has the opportunity gain
participation points by scripture and catechism memorization. If a student is
unexcused, they will receive 0 points for the day.
• Homework - Quizzes will include questions from your homework assignments. Major
concepts from the readings reinforce lecture material, thus they are recommended for
studying purposes. Take notes on your homework to aid your studying.
Contact Information:
Email: rschmidtberger@trinitychristian.net
Work: 412-242-8886

Use the blank space below for writing extra comments:

Outline:
I. Introduction to Ancient History
A.What is History
B.the Historical Study (how to study history)
C.Culture and Civilization
1.Dynamics of Culture
2.5 Components of Civilization
a)different institutions
D.Distinctives of the Ancients
II.The first Civilizations
A.Sumer
1.Geography
2.Institutions
3.Primary Sources
a)Gilgamesh
b)Hamurabbi’s Code
c)Hymn to Enlil
4.Culture
B.Mesopotamia
1.Geography
2.Institutions
3.Culture
C.Akkadia
1.Institutions
2.Primary Source
a)Enuma Elish
b)the Autobiography of Sargon
3.Culture
D.Egypt (field trip to CMOA)
1.Geography
2.Institutions
3.Primary Source
a) the Instruction of Ptahhotep
4.Field Trip: http://www.carnegiemnh.org/programs/egypt.html
III.The Eastern Civilizations
A.Harappan
1.Geography
2.Institutions
a)Hinduism
B.China
1.Geography
2.Institutions
3.Confucius
IV.Israel and the other ANE Civilizations (Key question: why was Israel so victorious in resisting
other nations and empires?)
A.Israel
 1.Geography
2.Institutions
a)Judaism
3.Primary Source: Exodus
B.Egypt
C.Canaanite Cultures
1.Primary Source: the Baal Cycle
2.Moab (Ruth)
3.Philistia (1 Samuel)
4.Hittites
a)Laws
5.Syria (2 Kings)
V.Empires: (Key question: why do empires rise and fall?)
A.Assyria
1.Primary Source: 2 Kings, Jonah, Nahum
2.Culture
3.Institutions
B.Babylon
1.History (dates)
2.2 Kings, Daniel
3.Hymn to Marduk and Ishtar
4.Babylonian Theodicy
5.Figures
C.Persia
1.History
2.Primary Sources: Daniel, Esther, Cyrus Cylinder
3.Culture
4.Institutions
5.Figures
VI.Greece
A.History and Geography
B.Primary Sources and Projects: Myth and the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
C.Culture
D.Institutions
E.Figures
VII.Rome
A.Geography
B.Origins
1.Myth of Romulus and Remus
C.Expansion: the Punic and Macedonian Wars
D.Figures
E.the Intertestamental Period - 1&2 Maccabees
1.Geography
2.Figures
F.The Rise of Christianity
1.Primary Sources: Luke and Acts
 2.Orthodoxy vs. Heresy
VIII.Byzantium and The Fall of Rome
A.Geography
B. Goths, Visigoths, and the Huns
1.Institutions
2.Figures
C.The Eastern Roman Empire
IX. Arabia and Islam
A.Geography
B.Primary Source
C.Culture
D.Institution
E.Figures
F.Islam
X.The Holy Roman Empire
A.the Merovingian and Carolingian Kings (LOTR: the Two Towers)
1.Geography
2.Primary Sources
3.Culture
4.Institutions
5.Figures
a)Charles Martel
b)Charlemagne
XI.The Medieval Ages: the formation of Europe (thanks to the HRE)
A.Primary Sources: King Arthur
B.William the Conqueror (1066)