Ancient History

This curricular set supports the HEC-TV series, "Ancient History."  Each curricular section relates to a different episode of the series, all of which are hosted by Globe Trekker's Zay Harding.



Ancient Britain - Stonehenge to Celtic Iron Age Forts
It was once believed that continuous invasions and conquering tribes from Europe shaped the island of Britain. But now we know this isn't true.  Follow the incredible saga of a glorious 7000 year evolution of Ancient Britain's people - from the earliest Stone Age clans, to the builders of Stonehenge, to the formation of Bronze Age tribes and the founding of Iron Age Hill forts, all leading to the castle building kings and queens and knights that we all recognize today.

  Ancient Britain -  Stonehenge to Celtic Iron Age Forts Curriculum


America's Prehistoric Civilizations: The Mound Builders
Had they been made of stone, they would have been among the greatest wonders of the ancient world. These were the pyramids and effigy earthen works by the Mound Building Cultures of the eastern half of the United States. This is the story of the 3000 year Native American tradition that culminated with the construction of cities rivaling any on the planet when Columbus landed in the New World.

  Ancient Prehistoric Civilizations: The Mound Builders Curriculum

Ancient Pueblo People: The Anasazi

They stand today much as their builders left them 500 years ago. These are the cities of the Anasazi, the ancient Pueblo people of the four corners region of the western United States. Their history is the history how a civilization, against all odds, became so successful at agriculture they were able to produce a leisure society capable of not only building these incredible cities, but also producing some of the greatest pottery, rock art and trading networks the world has ever seen. How the Anasazi did this with a social organization not governed by kings or queens or other hierarchical rulers is one of the great mysteries of ancient history.

  Ancient Pueblo People: The Anasazi Curriculum

Greek Accomplishments

Take a new look one of the world's most ancient civilizations. It has been said that all western art and science is but a footnote to ancient Greek accomplishments. In this program, the story is told of how Greek thinkers laid the foundation for architecture, painting, sculpture, history, philosophy, medicine, literature, zoology, botany, mathematics, astronomy, theater, and finally, the western scientific methodology. It is a history of a series of brilliant Greek thinkers from Homer in 700 B.C. to Ptolemy in 150 A.D.



  Greek Accomplishments Curriculum

Rome Reexamined
This high def episode brings a new perspective to growth and development in Ancient Rome, it's unique accomplishments (nurtured via a merit driven leadership system), the birth and decline of the Republic and the incredible developments in architecture, empire building and culture.  Maps, teacher's guides, a slide show highlighting the Roman Ruins and Museums, English captions and Spanish subtitles.... bring a compelling era to light with incredible 21st Century insights from leading expert analysis.

  Rome Reexamined Curriculum

The Greek City-State and Democracy

During the Golden Age of the Greek City States 2500 years ago, the ancient Greeks gave to the world something much more valuable than architectural wonders or material wealth ... It was the ideas of democracy, liberty, freedom of speech and the pursuit of truth for truth's sake. The Greek City-state and Democracy is the history of how a group of people invented self-rule based on citizenship, at a time when they were surrounded by tyrants and despots. The invention of these concepts of self-rule and citizenship is the most improbable event in all of ancient history.



  Greek City-State and Democracy Curriculum

The Incas

Six hundred years ago, in less than a century, the Inca people, located in present day Peru, forged an empire equal to that of the Greeks and Romans. They built their empire, not by military conquest but by treaties, based on providing food for all the empire's citizens. In the process, The Incas built architectural wonders for all eternity. Theirs is a history of what 7 million people can accomplish when they all work toward a common goal. Today Machu Picchu stands as a glorious reminder of this once incredible empire.

  The Incas Curriculum

  Entire Series Curriculum