Ancient History

History is like a tree—the ancient parts are roots, and as the story progresses the trunk rises and branches expand to encompass every person and event since Adam and Eve. Because history is unified, every element of the story is interconnected, even if that connection is distant. Furthermore, the current parts are all directly the product of the parts that have come before, and to understand the current situation you'll need to understand the past.

Understanding the ancient history roots at the bottom of the tree is essential for a proper perspective of everything that comes after. Some people take this too far and assume that ancient history is all that matters, but those who disregard it or understand it on no more than a cursory level are just as mistaken. Just as a building must have a strong foundation, so a study of history must begin in the right place.

The ancient world was different from ours, and the same. It was different in primarily physical ways: technology was less advanced, there were fewer people, and the general standard of living was far below what we enjoy (at least in the industrialized world). However, human nature never changes, and the same universal conflict that exists today—between God's children and His enemies—raged then.

It's interesting to what extent the dominant theories and philosophies of the modern world reflect those of the ancients. There is truly nothing new under the sun, and the Enlightenment rationalism, faith in human progress, belief in man's innate goodness, evolutionary idealism, and even postmodernism against which Christians fight all have their roots in the ideas of the Babylonians, Greeks, Egyptians, and every other early civilization.

That doesn't mean there isn't a clear trajectory from the ancient world to the present. Ideas all run a distinct course, and some reach prominence at different times; while the seeds of every successive philosophy were sown in the ancient world, it took time to grow them into what we recognize how as humanism, modernism, postmodernism, and the ever-illusory post-postmodernism.

The same is true of events. The history of any period is simply the chronicle of man's attempts to thwart God's will and Yahweh's use of even the most outrageous rebellion to achieve His own ends. In some ways, this is more obvious in ancient history, as the nation of Israel fought the surrounding nations, and too often embraced their paganism.

That story, of God's work among His people and in the world, and of man's continual rebellion, is also our story. The Church fights the same battles our Israelite forefathers did, though on a more ideological rather than physical scale. When we realize how much the story of the ancients is our own story, the significance of studying their world becomes much clearer, and the urgency of such study is made plain.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
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Adam and His Kin
by Ruth Beechick
from Mott Media
Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade
in Ancient History (Location: HISW-ANC)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Aeneas: Virgil's Epic Retold for Young Readers
by Emily Frenkel(translator and reteller), Virgil (original text), illustrated by Simon Weller
2015 Reprint from Bloomsbury Publishing
for 4th-8th grade
$15.00 (1 in stock)
Amethyst Ring
by Scott O'Dell
from Houghton Mifflin
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Ancient City
by Hazel Dodge, Peter Connolly
First Thus from Oxford University
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$14.00 (2 in stock)
Ancient Egypt
by Karen Sullivan
First Edition from Brockhampton Press
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Ancient Greece
by Michelle Miller
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Ancient Greek Art
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Ancient Greek War and Weapons
by Haydn Middleton
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Ancient Greeks
by Allison Lassieur
from Children's Press
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Ancient History Portfolio & Timeline
by Barbara Shukin
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$24.00 (2 in stock)
Ancient India
People of the Ancient World
by Virginia Schomp
from Scholastic Inc.
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Ancient Israelites and Their Neighbors
by Marian Broida
from Chicago Review Press
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Ancient Near East - Coloring Book
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Ancient Romans
People of the Ancient World
by Allison Lassieur
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Ancient Rome
Gifted Learning Series
by John H. Artman
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Ancient Rome
Discoveries Series
by Dr. Paul C. Roberts
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Ancient Times
by Suzanne Strauss Art
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Archaeology Book
by David Down
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Augustus Caesar's World
by Genevieve Foster
from Beautiful Feet Books
Non-fiction for 7th-10th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
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Authoress of the Odyssey
by Samuel Butler, introduction by David Grene
from University of Chicago
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$8.00 (1 in stock)
Aztec and Maya Myths
by Karl Taube
from British Museum Press
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Battles of the Ancient World: 1285 BC ~ AD 451
by Kelly Devries, et. al
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Before Columbus
by Charles C. Mann
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Before Columbus
by Charles C. Mann
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Beggar's King
by Howard C. Emmons
from Van Kampen Press
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Beyond the Desert Gate
Bethlehem Books Young Adult Bookshelf
by Mary Ray
2nd edition from Bethlehem Books
Historical Fiction for
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Book of the Ancient Greeks - Student Guide
by Matthew Anderson
from Memoria Press
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$20.50 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Book of the Ancient Romans - Teacher Guide
by Dorothy Mills
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Book of the Ancient World
by Dorothy Mills
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Book of the Ancient World
by Dorothy Mills
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in Ancient History (Location: HISW-ANC)
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Book of the Ancient World - Teacher Guide
by Matthew Anderson
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$20.50 $12.00 (3 in stock)
Boys' and Girls' Herodotus
by John S. White
Facsimile Edition from Kessinger Publishing
Ancient History Reference for 4th-8th grade
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$12.00 (1 in stock)
Captive
by Scott O'Dell
from HMH Books for Young Readers
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Hans Christian Anderson Award
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Children's Homer
by Padraic Colum & Willy Pogany
from Aladdin Paperbacks
Greek Mythology for 3rd-8th grade
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Children's Plutarch: Tales of the Greeks
by F. J. Gould
from Yesterday's Classics
Greek History Reference for 4th-8th grade
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Children's Plutarch: Tales of the Romans
by F. J. Gould, Reteller
from Yesterday's Classics
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Cities Then and Now
by Jim Antoniou
from Macmillan
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Classical Acts and Facts History Cards: Ancient World
from Classical Conversations
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Classical Companion
by Charles F. Baker III and Rosalie F. Baker
2nd edition from Cobblestone Publishing
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Classical Rome
by John D. Clare, ed.
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Cleopatra
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Cleopatra VII
Royal Diaries
by Kristiana Gregory
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Coloring Book of the Olympics
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Colosseum
by Peter Quennell
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Coming of Civilization
by Trevor Cairns
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Cry From Egypt
by Hope Auer
from Great Waters Press
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Cultural Atlas for Young People: Ancient America
by Marion Wood
1st edition from Facts On File
Ancient History Reference/Atlas for 4th-8th grade
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Cultural Atlas for Young People: Ancient Egypt
by Geraldine Harris
3rd edition from Facts On File
Ancient History for 4th-8th grade
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Cultural Atlas for Young People: Ancient Maya & Aztec Civilizations
by Marion Wood
3rd edition from Facts On File
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Cultural Atlas for Young People: Ancient Mesopotamia
by Erica C. D. Hunter
3rd edition from Facts On File
World History Reference/Atlas for 4th-8th grade
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$15.00 (1 in stock)
Cultural Atlas for Young People: The Bible
by John Rogerson
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Cultural Atlas of Ancient Egypt
by Geraldine Harris
Revised Edition from Facts On File
Ancient History for 4th-8th grade
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Cultural Atlas of Ancient Greece
by Anton Powell
Revised Edition from Facts On File
Atlas/Greek History Reference for 4th-8th grade
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$15.00 (1 in stock)
Cultural Atlas of Ancient Rome
by Mike Corbishley
Revised Edition from Facts On File
Atlas/Roman History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in Ancient Rome (Location: HISW-ANRO)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Curious Historian 2B - Student Edition
by Aaron Larsen
1st edition from Classical Academic Press
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Curious Historian 2B - Teacher's Edition
by Aaron Larsen
1st edition from Classical Academic Press
for 6th-8th grade
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Cyrus the Persian
by Sherman A. Nagel
from A. B. Publishing, Inc.
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D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
by Edgar & Ingri D'Aulaire
from Yearling
Greek Mythology for 4th-8th grade
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Dateline: Troy
by Paul Fleischman
from Candlewick Press
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Dateline: Troy
by Paul Fleischman
New Updated Edition from Candlewick Press
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DK Eyewitness: Ancient China
DK Eyewitness Series
by Arthur Cotterell
from DK Publishing
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DK Eyewitness: Bible Lands
DK Eyewitness Series
by Jonathan Tubb
1st edition from DK Publishing
History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in Bible Geography and Surveys (Location: XBI-GEO)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Don't Know Much About Mummies
by Kenneth C. Davis, illustrated by S. D. Schindler
1st edition from HarperCollins
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$8.00 (1 in stock)
Everyday Life in Ancient Egypt
by Neil Morris
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Fall of the Roman Empire
Opposing Viewpoints Digests
by Don Nardo
from Greenhaven Press
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$9.00 (1 in stock)
Famous Men of Greece
by John Haaren & A. B. Poland
from Greenleaf Press
Greek History for 4th-9th grade
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$7.50 (1 in stock)
Famous Men of Rome
by John Haaren & A. B. Poland
1st edition from Greenleaf Press
Roman History Reference for 4th-8th grade
Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
Famous Men of Rome - Curriculum Bundle (old)
2nd edition from Memoria Press
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$29.00 (1 in stock)
Famous Men of Rome - Greenleaf Guide
by Cynthia Shearer
from Greenleaf Press
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Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks
in Ancient Rome (Location: HISW-ANRO)
$5.00 (4 in stock)
Forgotten Daughter
by Caroline Dale Snedeker
from American Home-School Publishing
for 7th-10th grade
1934 Newbery Honor Book
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Genesis through Deuteronomy & Ancient Egypt (old)
by Sonya Shafer
3rd edition from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 1st-12th grade
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$12.50 (1 in stock)
Golden Fleece
by Padraic Colum & Willy Pogany
from Aladdin Paperbacks
Greek Mythology for 3rd-8th grade
1922 Newbery Honor Book
$9.34 $4.80 (2 in stock)
Golden Goblet
by Eloise J. McGraw
from Puffin Books
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
1962 Newbery Honor Book
in Action & Adventure Stories (Location: FIC-ADV)
$8.49 $4.00 (1 in stock)
Greek News
The History News
by Anton Powell & Philip Steele
from Candlewick Press
for 5th-8th grade
in Ancient Greece (Location: HISW-ANGR)
$4.50 (2 in stock)
Greek Way
by Edith Hamilton
from W. W. Norton and Co.
Greek History for 7th-10th grade
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$13.95 $9.00 (2 in stock)
Greek World
by Peter Levi
1st edition from Dutton Adult
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Greeks
by Roy Burrell, Peter Connolly (illustrator)
from Oxford University
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in Ancient Greece (Location: HISW-ANGR)
$9.50 (1 in stock)
History of US Book 1
History of US Book 1
by Joy Hakim
3rd Revised Edition from Oxford University
American History Reference for 5th-9th grade
in Joy Hakim's A History of US (Location: HISA-HAKIM)
$15.95 $11.00 (3 in stock)
Hittite Warrior
Bethlehem Books Living History Library
by Joanne Williamson
from Bethlehem Books
Historical Fiction for 5th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$12.71 $7.60 (4 in stock)
Hostage Lands
by Doug Bond
from P&R Publishing
Historical Fiction for 5th-9th grade
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$11.04 $6.00 (2 in stock)
Ides of April
Bethlehem Books Young Adult Bookshelf
by Mary Ray
from Bethlehem Books
for 8th-10th grade
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In Search of a Homeland
by Penelope Lively & Ian Andrew
from Delacorte Press
Picture Book/Mythology for 4th-8th grade
$17.50 (1 in stock)
Inspirational Women
for 8th-12th grade
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$5.00 (1 in stock)
Invaders
by Martin Windrow
from ARCO
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
Life in the Time of Pericles and the Ancient Greeks
by Michael Poulton
from Raintree
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$14.00 (1 in stock)
Lives of Famous Romans
by Olivia Coolidge
from American Home-School Publishing
Roman History for 7th-12th grade
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$17.99 $11.50 (1 in stock)
Lost Continent of Atlantis
by James Wyckoff, Illustrated by Robert Sargent
from G.P. Putnam's Sons
for 6th-Adult
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$50.00 (1 in stock)
Mara, Daughter of the Nile
by Eloise J. McGraw
from Puffin Books
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$7.64 $4.00 (1 in stock)
Martyr of the Catacombs
by Anonymous Christian
from Kregel Publications
Historical Fiction for 7th-10th grade
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$5.60 (1 in stock)
Mayan, Incan, & Aztec Civilizations
by Michael Kramme
from Mark Twain Media
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in Ancient America (Location: HISW-ANAM)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Mummy
by Ernest A. Wallis Budge
New edition from Senate
for 8th-12th grade
in History for Adults (Location: ADU-HIS)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Mystery of History Volume I (old)
by Linda Lacour Hobar
2nd edition from Bright Ideas Press
History Curriculum for 4th-8th grade
in Old Edition History & Geography (Location: OHIS)
$25.00 (1 in stock)
North American Indian Burial Customs
by Dr. H. C. Yarrow
First Edition from Eagle's View Publishing
for 6th-Adult
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$4.00 (1 in stock)
Old Testament History - Greenleaf Guide
by Robert & Cynthia Shearer
from Greenleaf Press
Ancient History Reference for 2nd-8th grade
in Ancient History (Location: HISW-ANC)
$11.95 $8.00 (2 in stock)
On the Shores of the Great Sea
Story of the World Series #1
by M. B. Synge
from Yesterday's Classics
History Reference for 4th-8th grade
in History Spines & Surveys (Location: HISRF-SPINE)
$13.95 $8.00 (2 in stock)
Out of the Mouth of the Lion
Emma Leslie Church History Series
by Emma Leslie
from Salem Ridge Press
for 5th-9th grade
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$10.00 (1 in stock)
Pages of History Volume 1 (old)
by Bruce Etter, Alexia Detweiler
1st edition from Veritas Press
for 6th-10th grade
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$9.00 (1 in stock)
Pearl Maiden
by H. Rider Haggard
from Christian Liberty Press
Historical Fiction for 8th-Adult
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$14.24 $7.20 (1 in stock)
Professor and the Prophets DVD
from Moody Press
for 7th-12th grade
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$4.00 (2 in stock)
Punic Wars 264-146 B.C.
by Nigel Bagnall
from Osprey Publishing
for 7th-12th grade
in Ancient Rome (Location: HISW-ANRO)
$12.00 (2 in stock)
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