Ancient Civilizations
Era Three: Classical Traditions, Major Religions,
and Giant Empires (1000 BCE–300 CE)
The Golden Age of Greece: Imperial Democracy, 500–400 B.C.E.
Explore the achievements and tensions of Greece’s most glorious century, the high point of Athenian culture. Topics include: The Persian Wars, Athenian Democracy at Work, The Story of Aristeides The Just, Daily Life on Greek Pottery, Greek Drama, The Rebuilding of the Acropolis, Pericles’ Funeral Oration, The Melian Dialogue, and The Last Days of Socrates. 168 p. Grades 6–12
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[NH104-LA6] $16.95 Reproducible
Early Chinese History: The Hundred Schools Period
In this unit students explore the “Golden Age” of Chinese philosophy when philosophers sought to account for the political fragmentation of the Zhou period and to articulate solutions to restore order. Students analyze texts from Confucianism, Mohism, Daoism or Legalism, the four most influential of these philosophical traditions. Students then compare their findings with others. 66 p. Grades 9–12
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[NH105-LA6] $16.95 Reproducible
Wang Mang: Confucian Success or Failure?
Students investigate primary source documents for a biographical perspective and historical context concerning emperor Wang Mang of the Hsin Dynasty. Students critically and creatively examine the reign and eventual demise of Wang Mang through the enactment of a mock trial, determining whether he was a victim of circumstances or a morally corrupt ruler. Ideals for good government and just rulers, as propounded by Confucius and Mencius, are interwoven throughout the text offering students a standard by which to measure Wang Mang. 60 p. Grades 7–12
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[NH106-LA6] $16.95 Reproducible
Trajan’s Rome: The Man, the City, the Empire
Co-Published with the Getty Educational Institute for the Arts
This unit promotes critical thinking skills by cultivating students’ creative, aesthetic, critical, and art historical sensibilities while situating art in a broader context of social, cultural, and political meaning. Lessons include Trajan: The Man and His Empire; The People of Trajan’s Rome; Building Trajan’s City; Governing Trajan’s City and Empire; Provisioning Imperial Rome; Entertainment in Imperial Rome. 145 p. Grades 5–9
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[NH158-LA6] $16.95 Reproducible
Emperor Ashoka of India: What Makes a Ruler Legitimate?
Co-Published with the Asia Society
The Emperor Ashoka, who ruled in India in the 3rd century B.C.E., is one of the most intriguing figures in world history. In an era of autocratic monarchies, he attempted to use moral persuasion, rather than sheer force, to command his subjects’ respect and obedience. This five-lesson unit centers on Ashoka’s fascinating career, but it also has a unifying theme: What makes a political leader legitimate? 60 p. Grades 7–12
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[NH169-LA6] $16.95 Reproducible
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