Outlines of Ancient History: The Jews, the Greeks, & the Romans

The Outlines of Ancient History is intended to begin the historical study of those peoples from whom we have inherited Western civilization. The Jews, the Greeks, and the Romans each in their own distinct way have contributed to the molding of the Western mind, and the narrative of their achievements has become our story. At times in our past, we have looked back to these great peoples to find our bearings, and to navigate our way forward, all the while realizing our debt to their contributions. This work is a compilation and adaptation of three distinct tomes which cover the history of the Jews, the Greeks, and the Romans, and its purpose is to introduce students to a basic chronology that focuses upon the essential achievements which have most contributed to the development of Western civilization. The shaping of the West by no means stops with their stories. During the Christian age the ideas and philosophies of these ancients blossomed and grew into what we understand Western civilization and culture to be. The study of the West must also include a careful study of the Christian age alongside that of the ancient world. However, that is outside the scope of this work. The student will find in these pages a concise historical narrative broken down into three parts—the Jews, the Greeks, and the Romans—summarizing the events which most influenced the Christian age.