Ancient Civilizations in Review

From the Great Wall to detailed calligraphy, the achievements of ancient China are many and varied. And, unlike other ancient civilizations, it changed very little over millions of years! China's huge mountains and large deserts kept the area safe from invaders. Without this foreign interference, China's great dynasties, like the Qin and the Han, flourished. Many of the things we associate with modern China, like lovely silks, date to ancient times. This text, written for struggling readers or those in need of review, presents China's ancient history in accessible language, with the most important people, dates, and events highlighted. A timeline and fact boxes throughout aid readers' understanding.

Ancient Rome might seem like ancient history-it fell in the 5th century after all! But, many of this civilization's achievements laid the groundwork for modern society. From advances in architecture to government, the accomplishments long outlasted the empire. In this text, written for struggling readers and those in need of review, readers travel back in time to find out more about the major people, events, and dates of ancient Rome as it spanned most of the known world, including England, western Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. Historical images, maps, and a timeline aid comprehension.

Mesopotamia is known as the "cradle of civilization." Found in modern-day Iraq between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, the region is known for the rise of the first cities, as well as the invention of writing. In this book written with struggling readers in mind, readers explore the various empires of the region, like Babylon and Sumer, that made many important contributions to law, politics, mathematics, and agriculture. Maps and a timeline of key dates provide additional information.

Western civilization owes a great deal to the achievements of ancient Greece. They achieved much in the fields of government, architecture, and math-but what role did this intellectual work play in ancient Greek society? How did geography influence the politics of the Greek city-states? What's the difference between an agora and an acropolis? This book takes readers into the past, when independent city-states ruled the Mediterranean Sea, to find the answers. Full-color photographs and maps complement the curriculum-supporting text, which is written at a lower level for struggling readers and those in need of review.

The symbols of ancient Egypt today-mummies, the pyramids, pharaohs-are part of the incredible history of this early civilization. Readers learn the role these symbols played in the context of Egypt's history in this book, written especially for struggling readers or those in need of review. The main content presents ancient Egypt's history, achievements, important people, and events, while fact boxes aid readers' understanding with further explanation of key terms and more difficult topics. Maps, historical images, and a timeline complement the curriculum-supporting text.

Some of Earth's earliest human settlements can be traced to ancient India along the Indus River. As civilization grew there, so did religion, art, and literature, all of which shaped the culture of India today. This book engages struggling readers with social studies content they might otherwise miss out on because of reading challenges. It covers the beginnings of ancient India through the golden age of the Gupta Empire, emphasizing the most important people, places, events, and achievements. Maps and a timeline complement the main content.