Enriched World History (Mr. Palmieri)
Sem. One, Unit Two: Classical and Medieval Civilizations of Southwest Asia, N. Africa and Europe
In this unit we will explore civilizations of the Classical Era civilizations of the Greeks and Roman. We will
investigate the origins and expansion of Christianity and Islam and societies influenced by the religions in Europe
and the Middle East from 600-1300. We will investigate religious identity and conflict in and between societies.
All questions and assignments in italics should be completed (written out) when you come to class on the day with
which they are listed. Assignments in CAPS are due on the day with which they are listed.
Tuesday, September 8: Assyrians and Persians, p 54-57
1. How did the Assyrians treat their conquered peoples?
2. What innovations did the Persians use to effectively govern their large empire?
3. What characterized the Persian religion, Zoroastrianism?
4. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading
Wednesday, September 9: Minoans and Mycenaens 106-111
5. What seems to have caused the demise (collapse) of the Minoan civilization?
6. Describe the Mycenaens. How did they differ from the Minoans?
7. Even if the history in Homer’s epics isn’t accurate, what importance did his work have for the Greeks?
8. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading.
Thursday, September 10: Greek City-States; Athens and Sparta, p 112-117 (and 121-122)
9. Fill in the comparison chart between Athens and Sparta. There is additional Athens info on pages 121-122.
Friday, September 11: Persian and Peloponnesian Wars, p 118-123
ARTIFACT BRAINSTORM SHEET DUE
10. Fill in the cause and effect chart for the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War
Monday, September 14: Greek Culture, p 124-133
11. Identify the importance of these Greek individuals: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Herodotus, Thucydides,
Pythagoras, and Euripides
Tuesday, September 15: Alexander the Great, p 134-139:
12. Write an obituary of 6-8 sentences for Alexander, including biographical info and his accomplishments
Wednesday, September 16: Early Rome, p 146-151
13. Who was present in the Italian Peninsula in 500 bce?
14. Describe the political structure of the Roman Republic.
15. Who fought the Punic Wars and what were the causes and results of the wars?
16. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading.
Thursday, September 17: Rome
ARTIFACT PROJECT PROPOSAL DUE
Friday, September 18: FLEX DAY, NC Art Museum Trip
Monday, September 21: Rome’s Republic, p 152-159
17. Who were Julius Caesar and Octavian and how did Octavian (Augustus) come to rule Rome?
18. What were the successes and failures of Augustus?
19. What was the Pax Romana and what was it characterized by?
20. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading.
Tuesday, September 22: Rome’s Empire, p 160-167
21. Take approximately a page of notes on the information presented in the reading about the several empires. Try
to focus on main ideas in each of the sections and paragraphs. While you might want to note some specific
terms and individuals, it is even more important to understand and notetake on the main idea in each of the
sections or paragraphs you read.
Wednesday, September 23: Christianity, the Late Roman Empire, and Collapse, p 168-177
22. Aside from personal religious or spiritual beliefs, why do you think Constantine and later Theodosius would
want Rome unified under Christianity?
23. How was the status of Christianity different in 400 CE in the Roman Empire than it had been in 200 CE?
24. Analyze the theories for the decline of Rome. What is one you think is most realistic and why? What is one you
think is least realistic and why?
25. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading.
Thusday, September 24: The Christian Church, p 302-307
26. Take approximately a page of notes on the information presented in the reading about the Christian Church’s
role and importance in the Middle Ages.
Friday, September 25: FLEX DAY, NC Art Museum Trip
Monday/Tuesday, September 28/29 (MINI EXDAYS):
ROMAN CITIES ASSIGNMENT DUE
Wednesday, September 30: Islam, p 188-191
27. Define shari’ah, the Quran, the Hijrah and hajj
28. What are the Five Pillars of Islam?
29. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading.
Thursday, October 1: Islam, p 192-199
30. What caused the split between Shiite and Sunni Muslims?
31. Using the map on page 193, describe the spread of Islam.
32. How did the second caliphate, the Abbasids, eventually collapse in 1258?
33. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading.
Friday, October 2: Islam, p 200-209
34. List an achievement of Islamic scholars in the follow fields: math, astronomy, geography, chemistry,
medicine, art, literature, philosophy, and history.
Monday, October 5: ARTIFACT PROJECT NOTES DUE
Tuesday, October 6: Feudalism, p 308-315
35. Who was Charlemagne and what were his accomplishments?
36. Where did the Vikings travel to outside of Europe and how did their invasions affect the stability of Europe?
37 Medieval European life is often depicted (fairy tales, movies, games…). What in the reading contrasted typical
stereotypes and misperceptions of Medieval Europe?
38. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading.
Wednesday, October 7: Byzantine Empire and the Crusades, p 322-327
39. What characterized politics and religion in the Byzantine Empire?
40. Summarize the effects of the Crusades.
41. Write an additional question you are curious about after doing the reading.
Thursday, October 8: Unit Two Review
Friday, October 9: UNIT TWO TEST