EXPLORE THE ANCIENT WORLD
Ancient History
From the first cities and pharaohs to Greek democracy and the Roman Empire, explore the civilizations, rulers, religions, wars and everyday lives that shaped the ancient world.
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Essential reading
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire
A complete overview of Rome’s rise, imperial system, crisis and fall.
Life and Society in Ancient Egypt
Explore work, social structure and everyday life along the Nile. Continue with Egyptian gods & religion → or Tutankhamun →
Ancient Greece: History, Democracy, Daily Life and Wars
A comprehensive guide to Greek history, democracy, war, society and daily life. Continue with Greek gods & the Olympians → or Sparta →
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Explore Ancient History
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Ancient Egyptian Gods: Ra, Osiris, Anubis, Isis and the Pantheon
Who were the ancient Egyptian gods? Explore Ra, Osiris, Isis, Anubis, Horus, Amun, Bastet, Thoth, Hathor, Egyptian religion, temples and afterlife beliefs.
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Ancient Greek Gods: Zeus, Athena, Apollo and the Olympians
Who were the ancient Greek gods? Meet Zeus, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, Poseidon and the Olympians, and learn how Greek religion actually worked.
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Tutankhamun: Tomb, Death, Discovery and the Curse
Who was Tutankhamun? Explore King Tut’s tomb, Howard Carter’s 1922 discovery, gold treasures, family, death theories, mummy scans and the truth about the curse.
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Sparta: Society, Warriors and Daily Life in Ancient Greece
How did ancient Sparta really work? Explore Spartan warriors, the agoge, helots, women, government, Thermopylae, daily life and the myths behind Sparta.
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How Were the Pyramids Built? What Archaeology Really Tells Us
How were the Egyptian pyramids built? Explore the workers, tools, stone transport, ramps, Nile waterways and archaeological evidence behind the Great Pyramid.
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Roman Emperors: Timeline and the Most Important Emperors
A timeline and guide to the most important Roman emperors, from Augustus and the Julio-Claudians to Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Diocletian, Constantine and the fall of the West.
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Why Did the Roman Empire Fall? Causes, Timeline and 476 CE
Why did the Western Roman Empire fall? Explore the political, military, economic and demographic pressures behind Rome’s decline and what happened in 476 CE.
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Julius Caesar: Life, Conquests, Dictatorship and Assassination
Explore Julius Caesar’s rise through Roman politics, conquest of Gaul, crossing of the Rubicon, dictatorship, reforms and assassination on the Ides of March.
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Augustus: First Roman Emperor and the Birth of the Principate
How Octavian defeated his rivals, became Augustus and created the Principate—the political system that became the foundation of the Roman Empire.
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Roman Republic: Government, Expansion and Fall
How the Roman Republic worked, expanded across the Mediterranean and collapsed through political violence, civil wars and the rise of Augustus.
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Ancient Pompeii Had at Least 80 Snack Bars
Pompeii contained at least eighty thermopolia—street-side establishments serving prepared food and drinks from counters fitted with large jars.
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Why Ancient Roman Concrete Can Survive for Thousands of Years
Modern research suggests that Roman builders used hot mixing with quicklime, creating concrete capable of chemical reactions that can help seal cracks.
