Ancient History Bibliography:
Book Recommendations for each chapter or unit.
NOTE: Following are “suggested” living books and non-fiction sources to accompany your study. Working through a Portfolio will require that you access stories of the people and events indicated in the Portfolio’s Table of Contents and the Teacher’s Guide. But, exactly which books you find, or choose to use, is up to you. No one single book is indispensable. If a book recommended here becomes out of print and outrageously costly, just pick something else.
Overview Books:
Having either the Kingfisher or Usborne World History Encyclopedia will be a convenience factor for you. Many times, when researching topics indicated in the Portfolio, your students will only need a short text entry with an image to glean the bit of information required. These books are as the title states, history encyclopedias. I highly recommend having one on your home library shelf.
Access lots of stories within a single volume! The History Portfolios cover history topically, so all people and events closely associated with an era, or movement, are covered in a single chapter. The Story of the World series takes a chronological approach. The two approaches are perfectly compatible. I recommend using SOTW just as you would every other book listed below. When you need to read about a certain person or event, refer to SOTW‘s index or table of contents, and locate the necessary stories.
Access tons of stories, and read about history from a Christian world view. There are so many stories in each volume of Mystery of History! Volume IV has stories about 84 distinct topics. As with SOTW, stories are easily located by using the table of contents or the index. If you want to cover history from a Christian world view, and access a narrative history told in a conversational style, this book will be well worth your money and a great convenience.
If you might appreciate a young people’s version of the Bible, this volume, with 382 pp., may be just what you are looking for.
I have been very impressed by the Houghton Mifflin text books in this series. They are: A Message of Ancient Days, Across the Centuries, and A More Perfect Union. Each volume is full of primary source quotes, maps, charts, and quality images, and even selections from classic literature from which to read. The books are respectful of all cultures and religions and fit well with a classical approach. Units have chapters which are clearly defined with “lessons” divided into clear topics and sub topics that provide perfect note-taking opportunities. Easily pick up a very good quality used book on Amazon.
First Civilizations:
The First Civilizations chapter or unit includes topics about important “firsts” around the world. It is an overview. Highlights of this chapter or unit include copywork of Psalm 104, a comparison of the roles of historians and archaeologists, the world’s great rivers, and a peak into the cultures of the Minoans, the Indus River Valley, and the Shang Dynasty.
Read more about the Ancient History Portfolio here, or about the Unit Study Portfolios here.
Ancient Near East:
The Ancient Near East chapter or unit focuses on the Mesopotamian empires of Sumer and Akkad, the Babylonian and Neo-Babylonian Empires, the Assyrian Empire, and the Persian Empire. Highlights of this chapter or unit include physical geography, cultural achievements such as art and literature, great rulers and their empires, monumental architecture, plus important mechanical and technological advances.
Read more about the Ancient History Portfolio here, or about the Unit Study Portfolios here.
Ancient Bible Lands:
The Ancient Bible Lands chapter or unit covers sections of the Old Testament, placing various people and events within a historical context. Topics include Genesis chapters 12―25 covering Abraham and his family; Exodus; the Babylonian Captivity; and the Kings and Prophets of Israel. Highlights of this chapter or unit include physical geography, aspects of daily life, the Temple, and the Ark of the Covenant, and King Solomon’s Temple.
Read more about the Ancient History Portfolio here, or about the Unit Study Portfolios here.
Ancient Egypt:
The Ancient Egypt chapter or unit covers the Egyptian Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. Highlights of this chapter or unit include the unique physical geography of Egypt; the formation of a united Egypt; mythology and religion; early architectural systems and the development of monumental architecture; painting and the decorative arts; hieroglyphics and the Rosetta Stone; pharaohs; and the daily life and occupations of Egyptian citizens.
Read more about the Ancient History Portfolio here, or about the Unit Study Portfolios here.
Ancient Greece:
The Ancient Greece chapter or unit covers Ancient Greek history from the Homeric, Archaic, Classical, and the Hellenistic Ages. Highlights of this chapter or unit include the unique physical geography of Greece; maritime culture; the evolution of Greek ceramic art, theater, and architecture; mythology and epic narrative literature; the Age of City States; Greek philosophers and mathematicians; and Alexander the Great.
Read more about the Ancient History Portfolio here, or about the Unit Study Portfolios here.
Ancient Rome:
The Ancient Rome chapter or unit covers Rome during the Legendary Age, the Roman Republic, and the early Roman Empire. Highlights of this chapter or unit include the founding of Rome; the Punic Wars; Roman mythology; architecture, engineering, and technology; the Pax Romana; famous Romans; the Seven Hills of Rome; and a look at some major empires around the world at the time of the birth of Christ.
Read more about the Ancient History Portfolio here, or about the Unit Study Portfolios here.
Birth of Christ:
The Birth of Christ chapter or unit highlights important events within the life of Christ, including His incarnation and childhood, His public ministry, and His passion and resurrection. Highlights of this chapter or unit include the Beatitudes, miracles, parables, and the Apostles and Evangelists.
Read more about the Ancient History Portfolio here, or about the Unit Study Portfolios here.