Genius of the Ancients

Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the ancient Greeks? Find out how the ancient Greeks organized their society, trained their soldiers, used their ships for trade and transportation, and built their temples. Discover how their brilliant developments in architecture, politics, art, medicine, theater, and sports still influence the way we live today.

Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the Romans? Find out how the Romans trained their soldiers, built their roads and buildings, and supplied their people with food and water. Discover how their brilliant developments in language, government, law, and entertainment still influence the way we live today.

Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the ancient Egyptians? Find out how the ancient Egyptians built their temples and pyramids, irrigated and farmed their land, and took care of their people during life and after death. Discover how their brilliant developments in farming, papermaking, timekeeping, and medicine still influence the way we live today.

Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the Maya? Find out how the Maya built their cities to suit the landscape and population, traded their resources, and developed a complex system of writing. Discover how their brilliant developments in farming, astronomy, and cloth-making still influence the way we live today.

Which innovative ideas and inventions began in the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages? These periods, stretching from the first ancestors of modern humans to the start of the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome, was a time of amazing developments. Find out how making fire and tools, farming the land, and writing down symbols to communicate transformed society and had a lasting impact on the way we live today.

Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the Vikings? Find out how the Vikings built their longships and set sail from their homeland, forging a path across the sea on raiding and trading expeditions. Discover how their brilliant developments in navigation, transportation, government, and language still influence the way we live today.

Which innovative ideas and inventions began with the Anglo-Saxons? Find out how the Anglo-Saxons farmed their land, built their houses, and organized their society. Discover how their brilliant developments in defense, law, language, and storytelling still influence the way we live today.

Which innovative ideas and inventions began in the Benin Kingdom in Africa? Find out how a collection of separate villages and communities grew into a strong, united kingdom and developed a network of successful trading relationships. Discover how their brilliant developments in town planning, language, art, and medicine still influence the way we live today.