Curated OER
Secrets of the Parthenon
Learners take a closer look at the Parthenon. In this world monument lesson, students watch PBS video segments about the reconstruction of the Parthenon in Greece. Learners research how the ancient Greeks built the structure and discuss...
Curated OER
The Crusades
For this Middle Ages worksheet, students read a 1-page selection about the Crusades, examine the listed Web sites about the topic, and then respond to 13 short answer questions about the information presented.
Curated OER
Olympics (World Celebrations)
Students recognize the meanings and symbolism of the Olympic Flag and Torch and apply this to their own feelings of the classroom by creating their own symbol/flag to represent these feelings.
Curated OER
Bank On it! Christmas
For this vocabulary worksheet, students read an informational paragraph about the history of Christmas. Students fill in 18 blanks using words from the word bank.
Curated OER
Belief Systems Along the Silk Roads
Students reflect on similarities and differences among belief systems. Using excerpts of translated religious texts, they organize these quotations into broad themes. The quotations will be posted on a Silk Roads map as reminders of how...
PBS
Pbs: Recovering the Material World of the Early Christians
A scholarly article in which the author discusses the recent archaeological discoveries that have allowed us to construct a picture of the world of the early Christians. These findings include ancient manuscripts, ancient inscriptions...
United Nations
Unesco: Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna
This World Heritage website features Ravenna in Italy, which was the center of the Roman Empire at one point, and later of the Byzantine Empire in Italy. Presented on this website are eight Christian buildings, and their mosaics, from...
PBS
Pbs: Chronology of Early Christianity
A detailed timeline on the early history of the religion from the time of Julius Caesar (44 B.C.E.) to 327 C.E. and the death of Constantine.
Other
Ray Stedman: From Guilt to Glory: Studies in Romans
This site, which includes 39 expository messages on Romans, will enrich your understanding of this important letter from the Apostle Paul to the Christians in Rome.
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Religious Tolerance: Christian History
This site provides an interpretation of early Christian history as seen by religious liberals and historians. Includes Pauline Christianity, Jewish Christianity, and Gnostic Christianity. Details early movements by each branch to revolt...
PBS
Pbs: Peter and Paul and the Christian Revolution
A companion website to the documentary about the early Christian movement. Includes interactive activities, timelines, and primary sources.
Stanford University
Stanford History Education Group: Roman Empire and Christianity
[Free Registration/Login Required] Lesson in which students investigate several sources to determine why the Roman Empire persecuted Christians. Inlcudes downloadable lesson plan, PowerPoint, original documents, teacher and student...
Franco Cavazzi
Roman Empire: Roman Religion
This site describes the Roman religion. It explains the gods and goddesses and their origins, prayer and sacrifice, offices of the state religion, festivals, and the beginning of Christianity.
Friesian School
Fresian School: Rome and Romania
This article, which is provided for by the Fresian School, covers a large part of Roman history, but pays particular attention to the reign and effects of Emperor Nero.
PBS
Pbs: The Roman Empire of the 1st Century: Religion and Politics in Daily Life
In this lesson, students will examine various aspects of religion in ancient Rome including the role of mythology, polytheism versus. monotheism, the treatment of Jews and Christians, and the spread of Christianity. To guide their...
Other
University of Illinois: The Early Centuries of the Greek Roman East
Read about the history of the Romiosini, or Greek Middle Ages and the development of the Greek-Roman east. The article is divided into two different sections. The first section includes the foundation of Constantinople as a means to...
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Roman Catacombs
This provides in depth information about many aspects of the catacombs of Rome which were used by early Christians. Position, history and artifacts are all discussed. Please note that ?The Catholic Encyclopedia? is a historic reference...
Other
Music History Online: Music Before the 16th Century
Learn about music dating from the early Neanderthals to the Proto-Renaissance period. Also included is music from the Greeks and Romans as well as the early Christian church.
PBS
Timeline of Peter and Paul
A timeline that is a part of a PBS documentary about Peter and Paul. The timeline shows what is happening in the Roman Empire at the same time as events in the Jewish communities.
Curated OER
Unesco: Hungary: Early Christian Necropolis of Pecs (Sopianae)
In the 4th century, a remarkable series of decorated tombs were constructed in the cemetery of the Roman provincial town of Sopianae (modern Pecs). These are important both structurally and architecturally, since they were built as...
Forum Romanum
Outlines of Roman History: The Reign of Marcus Aurelius (Ad 161 180)
Read this entry from William Morey's 1901 text to find out about Marcus Aurelius, one of the five good emperors, who was known as a philosopher.
PBS
Pbs Frontline: Pliny's Policy of Execution
An nice article which describes the first attempt of the Romans to deal with early Christians in 112 C.E. Pliny the Younger decided to use execution and it marks the beginning of the Roman persecution of the Christians.
PBS
Pbs Frontline: Letters of Pliny the Younger & Emperor Trajan
The actual letters written between Pliny and the Emperor about the issue of early Christianity. It was the first time the Romans recognized the religion as separate from Judaism.
PBS
Pbs Frontline: The Martyrs
A very nice account which delves into the background of the persecutions of the early Christians under the Romans. The article provides specific historical details as to why and how Christians were being attacked.