Jennifer Courtney
This course will supply you with weekly lessons to help you explore ancient history from the first recorded civilizations through the fall of Rome. There will be suggested readings for children of all ages including high school students.
Hi, I am Jennifer Courtney, and I will guide you through these lessons. I’ve been home educating my four children since 2004. I’m the coauthor of the Classical Acts and Facts History cards series. I have a passion for teaching world history to students of all ages, particularly as these studies help to illuminate the study of Scripture and the Church.
Why study ancient civilizations?
An understanding of ancient civilizations can illuminate your child’s understanding of the people groups mentioned in the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Israelites conquer and are conquered by their nearest neighbors including the Hittites, Canaanites, Assyrians, and Babylonians. Their worship of the one, true God continually produces conflicts with these polytheistic people groups.
Polytheism is a compound word with Greek roots—poly meaning “ many” and theos meaning “gods.” Knowing this can enrich your child’s understanding of how God reveals Himself to Abraham as the one true God. It helps them understand the importance of the commandment which says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Familiarity with the Egyptian gods and goddesses helps to illuminate the Plagues in Egypt which were sent to combat the many gods of ancient Egypt.
To supplement your studies of the New Testament, it helps to understand the primary civilizations of the time—Greece and Rome. For example, a study of Paul’s missionary journeys comes to life if children are familiar with the Greek gods that Paul argued against as he brought the Good News.
Join me on a journey that will span over three thousand years!
Go to this month’s lessons
—Break (Thanksgiving Week, Nov. 19)—
Dec. 3—Israel’s United Kingdom
Dec. 10—Israel Divides Into Two Kingdoms
2013
January
February:
Persia Falls to Alexander the Great
Caesar Augustus and the Pax Romana
March:
Paul’s Missionary Journeys and the Greeks
Persecution Spreads the Gospel
Herod’s Temple Destroyed by Titus
Diocletian Divides the Roman Empire
April:
Constantine Legalizes Christianity
St. Jerome Completes the Vulgate
May:
Council of Chalcedon (May 1-11)
Download Classical History Course Outline
Go to this month’s lessons
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Jennifer Courtney currently serves as the Director of Training and Development for Classical Conversations. She is the co-author of the Classical Acts and Facts History Cards series and of the book Classical, Christian Education Made Approachable. Jennifer writes for the Classical Conversations Writer’s Circle as well as a variety of homeschool and other education websites and magazines. In addition to home educating her own children, she tutors high school students once a week in Latin, Shakespeare, poetry, US History, philosophy, logic, and Chemistry. She and her husband Tim live in Oklahoma where they home educate their four children.