The following three lectures, marked with an asterisk, are optional. They are
background for those who wish we would cover the ancient Near East.
See also the unfinished sections on Prehistory
and Ancient Near
East for additional material on these omitted parts of the course as well
as the Optional Reading
for other sources on the Ancient Near East, Egypt and prehistoric topics.
*Mesopotamia, Steven Kreis
*Egypt, Steven Kreis
*Akkadians, Egyptians, and Hebrews,
Steven Kreis
Required Reading - Secondary Sources:
A note on reading Kreis: Prof. Kreis has many embedded links in his essays, many of which lead
to other sites that in turn have their own embedded links. Following the links beyond the essay
itself will add much to your understanding of the material, but potentially it can add a great deal
to your workload. You should regard those links as optional reading.
Origins of Democracy, Steven
Kreis
The Persian Wars, E.L. Knox
The Peloponnesian War, E.L. Knox
Greek Philosophy, Steven Kreis
Alexander the Great, E.L. Knox
Early Rome, Steven Kreis
The Punic Wars, E.L. Knox
The Roman Revolution, E.L. Knox
The First Emperors, E.L. Knox
If you read nothing else, read these!
The Roman Empire at its Height, Lynn Nelson
The Later Roman Empire, Lynn Nelson
Rise of Christianity, Lynn Nelson
The Life of Apollinaris Sidonius, Lynn Nelson
Go to Required Primary
Sources