Ancient Cultures and Civilizations

The dynasties of ancient China ruled the country for centuries. The contributions of the leaders and people of this time have a legacy that can still be seen in Chinese culture today. This title begins with background information on China before the Qin c

Who were the ancient Mongols, and what made their culture unique? Designed to support elementary social studies curricula, this title answers these questions through a comprehensive exploration of the Mongolian Empire. Students will learn about important rulers such as Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan, as well as the lives of ordinary Mongols. Descriptions of the Mongols' nomadic lifestyle, family structure, food, religious beliefs, hunting practices, tribal relations, and housing will delight readers, while tales of the Forbidden City will fascinate them. Readers are encouraged to further explore this topic through text features such as sidebars and a Learn More section.

Athens gave the world the Olympics, philosophy, and beautiful architecture, but there's more to this ancient civilization than the facts everyone knows. This volume provides a comprehensive look at the culture of Athens, including how it became a city-state, its rise to power within the Roman Empire, and important military conquests and successes. The social studies-rich text also explores daily life in Athens, family structure, religion, and education. Relatable topics inspire readers to draw connections between life in the past and the present, while sidebars, fact boxes, and Learn More features encourage further learning.

Ancient Sparta is a city-state known for its military conquests and successes. This text introduces readers to the culture of Sparta, which helped turn the ancient civilization into a mighty war machine. Readers learn about life in Sparta, including the importance of slaves and warriors and the roles of men and women. Written to support social studies curricula, this title also covers this civilization's art, education, religion, and wars. Readers will be fascinated by the rise and fall of this city-state, which they'll visualize through engaging images and illustrations.

Constantinople was once known as the "city of the world," but this was only one important settlement in the Byzantine Empire. This title explores the geographical reaches of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, with a focus on the multicultural people who made it their home. The text covers the lives of Christians, Jews, and Muslims, as well as the merchants, Viking mercenaries, and barbarian hordes that made this culture unique. Other important social studies topics include arts, architecture, education, and family life. Readers will be fascinated by the ancient world of the Byzantines!