A brief history of Western culture

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

History is untidy. Though imperfect, defining periods and styles can order the chaos of millennia.

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Ancient Near East: cradle of civilization

By Dr. Senta German

Home to some of the earliest and greatest empires, the Near East is often referred to as the cradle of civilization.

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Sumer, an introduction

By Dr. Senta German

Sumer was home to some of the oldest known cities, supported by a focus on agriculture.

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Babylonia, an introduction

By The British Museum

For two thousand years, Babylon’s lost Tower and Hanging Gardens have haunted European imagination.

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Assyria, an introduction

By Dr. Senta German

Led by aggressive warrior kings, Assyria dominated the fertile crescent for half a millennia, amassing vast wealth.

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Ancient Egypt, an introduction

By Dr. Amy Calvert

Ancient Egypt had an enormous impact on ancient cultures—even today Egyptian culture permeates society.

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Ancient Egyptian art, an introduction

By Dr. Amy Calvert

How was the funerary and monumental art of Egypt meant to be seen and interpreted?

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Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt, an introduction

Predynastic and Early Dynastic, an introduction

By Dr. Amy Calvert

A brief overview of the predynastic and early dynastic periods in ancient Egypt

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Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period Egypt, an introduction

Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period, an introduction

By Dr. Amy Calvert

An overview of the Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period

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Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period Egypt, an introduction

Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period, an introduction

By Dr. Amy Calvert

An overview of the Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period in ancient Egypt

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New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period Egypt, an introduction

New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period, an introduction

By Dr. Amy Calvert

An introduction to the New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period in ancient Egypt

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Introduction to ancient Greek art

By Dr. Renee M. Gondek

Learn how ancient Greeks mastered the human form and built soaring temples.

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Kouroi and Korai, an introduction

By Dr. Monica Bulger

From 600 to 480 B.C.E., ancient Greek cemeteries and sanctuaries were filled with marble statues of beautiful young men and women.

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Greek vase-painting, an introduction

By Dr. Renee M. Gondek

Greek potters developed a remarkable variety of shapes, sizes, and styles that offer insights into ancient culture.

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Contrapposto explained

By Dr. Beth Harris, Dr. Steven Zucker

Don’t stand so straight! Relax. Shift your weight. Bend a knee. Just respond to the world, like this spear-bearer.

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Greek architectural orders

By Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker

Identify the classical orders—the architectural styles developed by the Greeks and Romans used to this day.

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The Etruscans, an introduction

By Dr. Laurel Taylor

What was the first superpower in Italy? The Etruscans dominated long before Rome did.

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Introduction to ancient Rome

By The British Museum

From monarchy, to republic, then empire—at its height, Rome controlled territory from Scotland to the Middle East.

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Introduction to ancient Roman art

By Dr. Jessica Leay Ambler

With the lands of Greece, Egypt, and beyond, Ancient Rome was a melting pot of cultures.

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Introduction to ancient Roman architecture

By Dr. Jessica Leay Ambler

Concrete, arches, and vaulting allowed the Roman Empire to become an engineering and architectural marvel.

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Ancient Rome in virtual reality

By Dr. Bernard Frischer, Dr. Steven Zucker

Fly over a reconstruction of one of the greatest cities in history to experience Rome as the Romans knew it.

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Pompeii, an introduction

By Dr. Francesca Tronchin

Pompeii, once called the "City of the Dead," gives a marvelous sense of day-to-day Roman life.

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Roman wall painting styles

By Dr. Jessica Leay Ambler

Mount Vesuvius buried Pompeii two millennia ago—creating a time capsule of the evolution of Roman painting.

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Overview Guide: Ancient Mediterranean

A brief history of Western culture

Ancient Near East: cradle of civilization

Sumer, an introduction

Babylonia, an introduction

Assyria, an introduction

Ancient Egypt, an introduction

Ancient Egyptian art, an introduction

Predynastic and Early Dynastic Egypt, an introduction

Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period Egypt, an introduction

Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period Egypt, an introduction

New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period Egypt, an introduction

Introduction to ancient Greek art

Kouroi and Korai, an introduction

Greek vase-painting, an introduction

Contrapposto explained

Greek architectural orders

The Etruscans, an introduction

Introduction to ancient Rome

Introduction to ancient Roman art

Introduction to ancient Roman architecture

Ancient Rome in virtual reality

Pompeii, an introduction

Roman wall painting styles

Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!

Browse Smarthistory images for teaching & learning!

Black Pharaohs: Nubia, Egypt, and Historical Racism

December 6, 1:00–1:30 pm ET