Did Thucydides begin the Greek democracy?

Who was Thucydides? How do you even pronounce that name? And what made his views of ethics and politics so important? Explore the life and theories of Thucydides, and test your understanding with a brief quiz.

In this lesson, we will explore the culture and history of the ancient Akkadians. We will also examine the first empire in history created by the Akkadian ruler Sargon of Akkad, or Sargon the Great.

This lesson describes Alexander the Great's mighty empire. Beginning with a brief account of his father Philip, the lecture then turns to an enumeration of Alexander's conquests. Next, Alexander's methods are explored. Finally, we will discuss Alexander's legacy of Hellenization.

Just as the Nile shaped Egypt, so too did the unique geography of Greece help to shape one of the most enduring cultures in history. From politics and war to the economy and colonies, the geography of Greece impacted them all.

In this lesson, you'll examine forces that shaped a Spartan society of elite warriors. We'll also explore the stratified caste system created by Lycurgus.

Thucydides was an ancient Greek historian. So, what can he teach us about modern international relations? In this lesson, we'll examine the Thucydides Trap, and see how ancient history can help us prevent future wars.

In this lesson you will explore the rise and formation of the Roman Republic and discover the unique systems of government they created. Then, you can test your understanding with a brief quiz.

This lesson covers the formation of the Roman Republic. We start by identifying the underlying causes of the Republican revolution. We then examine how the Romans instituted and expanded upon their system of checks and balances, starting with patrician assemblies and ending with the Plebeian Council.

This lecture compares phalanx warfare to its hit-and-run predecessors, drawing distinctions between hit-and-run skirmishing and decisive warfare. It examines the cultural, political, and geographical features of Greece that made phalanx warfare possible and necessary, and it describes the hoplite gear and mentality.

In this lesson, you will explore the architectural styles of the three most powerful periods of Ancient Egypt. Then, test your understanding with a brief quiz.

This is a lecture about Greek city states. It begins with an examination of the influence geography had on Greek politics, by comparing Greece to Egypt and Mesopotamia. This is followed by a loose characterization of Greek poleis in general, with specific attention paid to constitutions, colonialism and competition.

Explore the world of the ancient Mycenaean civilization. Meet the society that formed the basis for the famous Greek works of Homer and discover how this rich society eventually crumpled.

Discover the Battle of Salamis and learn about how the Ancient Greeks tricked and defeated the Persian Empire at sea. Observe the effect of this victory on the development of Western civilization.

Explore the life and achievements of the ancient Greek statesman Pericles and test your understanding of ancient Greek culture, artistic development, and the military in the Peloponnesian War.

This lesson will help you understand who the Ancient Greek Tyrants were, the events leading up to their rise and decline to power, and finally their significance in the course of history.

This lesson compares Roman gods to their Greek predecessors and enumerates the similarities and differences between Greek and Roman religion. Finally, Roman religion's relationship with mystery cults, especially Christianity, is briefly explored.