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Greek History

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Guide to Ancient Greece

The Ancient Greeks lived around 3,500 years ago their legacy shapes the world we live in today. For some people, life in Greece was good, and many lived in busy towns and cities. They build many temples and very important building that all stood on hills. You will learn about daily life and how they tried to make sense of the world with Philosophy. We hope you have fun learning about this wonderful topic and time in history.

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Ancient Greek History for Kids - Fun Facts to Learn

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Guide to Ancient Greece The Ancient Greeks lived around 3,500 years ago their legacy shapes the world we live in today. For some people, life in Greece was good, and many lived in busy towns and cities. They build many temples and very important building that all stood on hills.

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Ancient Greece

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Kids learn about the legacy of Ancient Greece and how the Greek civilization impacted the modern world including government, philosophy, theater, architecture, science, technology, sports, and art.

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The Legacy Of Ancient Egypt | Spartan Productions |

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Infographic How Ancient Egypt Shaped the Modern World

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Infographic How Ancient Egypt Shaped the Modern World

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Ancient Egyptians were amazing innovators. While the pyramids still stand as a reminder of their architectural sophistication, the people of ancient Egypt were also responsible for a vast and surprising array of inventions still in use to this day. From innovations in writing and math to the earliest uses of makeup and perfume, the civilization had a huge impact on the way people today communicate, travel, eat, dress, and more.

In the infographic below, Fairmont explores a few of the many ways in which ancient Egyptians shaped the modern world. While some contributions may feel familiar, others are genuinely surprising: It turns out the society was responsible for early versions of everything from air conditioning to home security. "There is no doubt that Ancient Egyptian inventions have had an immeasurable impact on the modern world," the infographic explains. "Some 4500 years later, Ancient Egypt's amazing contributions towards language, numeracy and industry are gifts that keep on giving."

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Infographic: How Ancient Egypt Shaped the Modern World

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Test your knowledge with amazing and interesting facts, trivia, quizzes, and brain teaser games on MentalFloss.com.

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Ancient Rome - Achievements and Inventions for Kids and Teachers - arches, concrete, mosaics, footwear, language, calendar, propaganda techniques, law and more - Ancient Rome for Kids

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The Romans were very good at copying other peoples ideas, but they rarely gave other civilizations credit for these ideas. According to the ancient Romans, everything was invented by Romans. They actually did invent or achieve some important things themselves, things we…

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The ancient Mayan civilization existed in the milieu of present day Mexico and Central America from 2600 BC till the Spanish success in the sixteenth century. Considered a piece of the Mesoamerican human progress, which included various indigenous societies in the district, the Mayans made most prestigious discoveries in sectors of science and cosmology that enabled them to make a profoundly complex date-book. They were exceptionally gifted designers and architects who constructed grand structures including royal residences; galactic observatories; sanctuary pyramids; astoundingly straight lifted streets; and reservoir conduits utilizing water weight innovation. The Mayans additionally built up the main finish-composing framework in Mesoamerica and created elastic a few centuries before vulcanization. Moreover, they made innovations of their own, creations like the immense underground repositories that held new water securely in the midst of the dry season.

Here are the 10 noteworthy achievements of the old Mayans human advancement in different fields including space science, arithmetic, design, building and composition:

10. Astronomy

The Mayans discovered careful objective facts of heavenly bodies, recording cosmic information on the developments of the sun, moon, Venus and the stars. In spite of the fact that there were just 365 days in the Haab year, they knew that a year is somewhat longer than 365 days. The Mayans ascertained the length of the year to be 365.2420 days (genuine approx. estimate is 365.2422 days). This is more precise than the estimation of 365.2425 that is utilized as a part of the Gregorian logbook. The Mayans were, along these lines, nearer than our present date-book. Mayans stargazers figured that 81 lunar months endured 2392 days. This gives the length of the lunar month as 29.5308 days, astoundingly near the present day estimation of 29.53059 days. They gauged the 584-day Venus cycle with a slight difference of only two hours. The Mayans likewise took after the developments of Jupiter, Mars and Mercury; and recorded galactic information like obscurations. Mayans cosmic learning was more precise and a long ways in front of Europe.

9. Ball Courts

The Mayans cherished their games, having a great time court in each city, like stadiums that we have today. The recreations were of extraordinary significance to the Maya, frequently playing amid religious celebrations of 20 days. The courts were situated at the foot of sanctuaries, to pay tribute to the Gods and Goddesses. The courts had expansive playing regions; each with a stone loop mounted on the divider toward one side.

The Mayans relished playing an unpleasant game called pok-a-tok, hotchpotch by which the point of the amusement was to take care of business a strong elastic ball through the loop, utilizing just your hips, shoulders or arms. The victors regularly won belonging of the losing group. Be that as it may, the losing groups, regularly played by hostages were relinquished for the sake of the Mayan Gods.

See Also,

8. Chocolate drinks

The Mayans contrived chocolate drinks from smashed cacao beans that were so significant that they were utilized as cash. It was the antiquated Mayans (250-900 C.E.) who were the first to find how delectable cacao beans were when aged, simmered, ground into glue, at that point blended with different fixings. The Mayans additionally utilized bean stew peppers and cornmeal to make a fiery chocolate drink. Sugar was obscure in antiquated circumstances. Express gratitude toward God in light of the fact that nor was present day dental care or other sugar related sicknesses like diabetes or ADHD.

Chocolate simply has that ever-interminable interest to people from Mayans to most Western Cultures today. Promptly, the people with sweet tooth know whom to thank.

7. Hallucinogenic Drugs

The Mayans celebrated and had great pride in their customs and traditions. Every occasion was feted in a grand way, and personnel with special requirements were allowed to perform for the gods and public known as Shamans.

Mayan shamans took stimulating substances to initiate daze like states amid exhibitions and customs in which they endeavored contact with the spiritual world. These substances affected the body in such a way that pain was not felt and energy was always pumped up. A number of these substances were additionally and currently are used as pain relief.

6. Law and Order

In the Mayans Empire, laws were similar and fair in every state. Almost everybody was liable to similar laws, even the lesser nobles. In the event that you violated a law, an authority would hear your case. Should you be discovered blameworthy, you were rebuffed. Disciplines fluctuated with the wrongdoing. In the event that you were discovered guilty of taking from somebody, you turned into a hostage of your casualty.

Murder was uncommon in light of the fact that the discipline was so extreme. On the off chance that discovered guilty of murder, murders could be executed or endure an indistinguishable destiny from their casualty. Be that as it may, the group of the casualty had the alternative of an honor in merchandise or land. They could even be granted a family compound, finish with merchandise, steers, and fields, and leave a whole family with no place to live as the consequence of a discovered blameworthy decision against one individual from that whole family.

5. Mathematics

The Mayans had an extremely proficient numeral framework with which they could speak to expansive numbers. It had only three images: zero (shell shape), one (a dab) and five (a bar). They utilized these three images to speak to numbers from 0 to 19 and numbers after 19 were composed vertically in forces of 20, utilizing place esteems. The Mayans, therefore, utilized a base 20 or vigesimal number framework. The utilization of place esteems and zero made this framework much the same as the one we utilize today. With their framework being vigesimal, the second position had esteem 20 times that of the numeral, the third position had 202 or 400 times the esteem et cetera. The Mayans likewise utilized shorthand to express extensive numbers like 2.4.1.9.9, where the numbers 2,4,1,9 and 9 speaking to coefficients before forces of 20.

Likewise fascinating is that the Mayans autonomously built up an idea of zero in their numbering framework by 36 BC. While not for the most part considered a human progress known for their science, they did, in any case, have a propelled handle of it. A large number of their dates and estimations are shockingly particular.

4. Mayan Art

While not entirely an innovation in essence, Mayan art is broadly considered the absolute delightful art in the world. The Mayans grew exceedingly modern works of art. They made craftsmanship in an assortment of materials, including wood, jade, obsidian, earthenware production, etched stone landmarks, stucco and finely painted wall paintings. Woodcutting is accepted to have been normal however just a couple of curios survive. Stone sculptures are far reaching at Mayans locales. The most celebrated among them, from Copan and Quirigua, are remarkable for their complexity of detail. The urban areas of Palenque and Yaxchilan are well known for their enhancing lintels including the eminent Yaxchilan Lintel 24.

A few Mayans stairways have been enlivened with an incredible assortment of scenes, as at Tonina. Zoomorphs are extensive rocks etched to take after living animals. Mayans Zoomorphs are very confounded help ornamentation, particularly those at Quirigua. The Mayans had a long convention of wall painting, dating to in the vicinity of 300 and 200 BC. Among the best-safeguarded Mayans wall paintings is a full-estimate arrangement of artistic creations at Bonampak. The Mayans likewise made a tiptop chipped curio known as flighty rock, which is actually extremely difficult to deliver.

3. Mayan Calendar

The eminent Mayans datebook depended on the framework basic in Mesoamerican societies. However, it was the Mayans who built up the timetable to its most extreme modernity. The Mayans date-book utilizes 3 distinctive dating frameworks: the Tzolkin (divine timetable), the Haab (common date-book) and the Long Count. Tzolkin joins a cycle of 20 named days with another cycle of 13 numbers, to deliver 260 interesting days. There are a few hypotheses for the 260 day tally of Tzolkin including it being founded on the human growth time frame; the agrarian cycle of the district; and the places of the planet Venus. The Haab was the sun-based date-book with 365 days. It comprised of a year and a half of 20 days in each month, trailed by 5 additional days, which were viewed as unfortunate and known as Wayeb.

The Long Count was a non-rehashing schedule speaking to the number of days since the start of the Mayans period. The privilege most position tallies single days, the following position is a square of 20; the following is a piece of 18 to make the timetable match the estimated 360 days length of a year; the rest of the positions take after their vigesimal number framework.

2. Mayan Writing System

Among the ancient Americans, the Mayans invented the most advanced form of writing, known as glyphs. Glyphs are used to describe or represent a word, sound or even a syllable through pictures or symbols. History suggests that the Mayans used around 700 different glyphs, and astonishingly 80% of the language is understood still today.

The Mayans were highly aware of their history and achievements, and so they wrote about them on pillars, walls, and big stone slabs all the time. They also wrote books about almost everything; like gods, daily life, new leaders and more. These books were made of bark and folded like a fan. Unfortunately, many of the books were destroyed as they were assumed to have depicted the devil and demons by the Spanish. Luckily, a few survived!

The written work arrangement of the Mayans human progress, known as the Mayans script, is accepted to be the main finish composing framework in Mesoamerica, i.e. they could compose all that they could state. As per current information, the most punctual engravings discovered were identifiably Mayans dated to third century BCE. This would make the Mayans the creators of writing in Mesoamerica. This would likewise make the Mayans one of three known civic establishments where composing grew autonomously, the others being China and Mesopotamia.

1. Rubber

All in all, what did the sports enthusiasts Mayans use for a ball? While confirming the skulls of relinquished players were here and there utilized, experts have found that the Ancient Mayans knew how to make diverse evaluations of elastic some time before Charles Goodyear, the tire mammoth, "settled" the material in the mid-nineteenth century. Alongside other Mesoamerican societies, the Mayans made elastic from normal latex and blended in other plant substances to make elastic items with various properties, including bouncy balls.

The Mayans had strange yet effective for agribusiness. These included slice and-consume system of moving development; raised fields, terracing, concentrated cultivating, timberland plants and oversaw fallows. The fundamental staples of the Mayans count calories were maize, beans, and squashes. Different harvests developed incorporate amaranth, bean stew peppers, sweet potatoes, manioc, tobacco and chaya, cotton, cacao, and vanilla. The Mayans took the latex from elastic trees and blended it with juice from morning transcendence vines to deliver elastic. Soonest utilization of elastic in Mesoamerica has been dated to 1600 BCE, a few centuries before vulcanization was produced in the nineteenth century. The Maya, similar to a few other Mesoamerican societies, utilized bouncy elastic balls to play the well-known Mesoamerican Ballgame.

Final Conclusion:

In the advanced age, the Mayans still homestead similar terrains and venture to every part of an indistinguishable stream from their predecessors did from the north in the Yucatan down to Honduras. The claim that the Mayans by one means or another vanished, just on the grounds that their urban areas were discovered surrendered, is wrong as well as offending to the more than six million Mayans who bear on the customs of their precursors. In spite of the fact that the locale was Christianized in the sixteenth century CE triumph and probe, the old ways are as yet seen in a mixture of European Catholicism and Mayan enchantment. An extraordinary arrangement has been found out about the Mayans since the days of investigation and reported the collapse, however, for the Mayans living today, nothing of significance has ever been overlooked and the cycle of life proceeds on.

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The ancient Mayan civilization existed in the milieu of present day Mexico and Central America from 2600 BC till the Spanish success in the sixteenth century. Considered a piece of the Mesoamerican human progress, which included various indigenous societies in the district, the Mayans made most prestigious discoveries in sectors of science and cosmology that enabled them to make a profoundly complex date-book.

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Who were the Vikings?

The Vikings came from all around Scandinavia (where Norway, Sweden and Denmark are today). They sent armies to Britain about the year 700 AD to take over some of the land, and they lived here until around 1050.

Even though the Vikings didn't stay in Britain, they left a strong mark on society - we've even kept some of the same names of towns. They had a large settlement around York and the Midlands, and you can see some of the artefacts from Viking settlements today.

Top 10 facts

1. The Vikings are also called Norsemen, and came from Scandinavia.

2. They spoke Norse, which had an alphabet made up of characters called runes.

3. They travelled over the sea in longships, which are long, narrow wooden boats that could be sailed in both deep and shallow water.

4. The Vikings left their homeland because they were looking for better places to farm than the kind of terrain that Scandinavia had.

5. The Vikings first attacked Britain in 787 AD, but didn't start to invade and settle in the British Isles until 793.

6. In 878, King Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings in battle and had them sign a treaty saying they had to keep to their own land in England - this section of land was called Danelaw.

7. Jorvik was a large Viking kingdom around York; the last king of Jorvik was Eric Bloodaxe in 954.

8. Viking warriors believed that when they died in battle, they went to Valhalla - this is where the king of the gods lived, named Odin.

9. England once had a Viking king: King Canute ruled from 1016-1035, and his descendants ruled until 1042.

10. A few weeks before the Anglo-Saxons were defeated in the Battle of Hastings in 1066, they defeated Viking warriors near York, led by Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

Timeline

A group of Vikings attacked the Isle of Portland (in Dorset), but then went back to their homes

Anglo-Saxon King Ethelred defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Ashdown in Berkshire

Canute the Great ruled as the first Viking king of England

Did you know?

The word 'Viking' means 'a pirate raid' in the Norse language, which is what the Vikings spoke.

Some of the names of our towns and villages have a little bit of Norse language in them. Do you recognise any names with endings like these:

'-by', as in Corby or Whitby, means 'farm' or 'town'

'-thorpe', as in Scunthorpe, means 'village'

The Viking alphabet, 'Futhark', was made up of 24 characters called runes. Each one stood for entire words or gods, as well as sounds.

There was a large Viking community around York called Jorvik. Archaeologists have found out a lot about the Vikings thanks to the artefacts they found there.

The Vikings kept long benches in their homes that they'd use to sit on during the day, and then to sleep on at night. Only rich people had beds.

In Viking times, people usually just took baths once a week! This was often on Saturdays.

The Normans from France who defeated the Anglo-Saxons in the Battle of Hastings were actually descendants of Vikings! Vikings settled around more places than just Britain - they went to Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, France and Spain too.

Can you find the following in the gallery below?

A map showing where the Vikings originally lived, and where they settled in Britain and Ireland

A map showing the Danelaw

A replica of a Viking longboat

What a Viking warrior would have looked like

A Viking warrior's helmet

What a Viking man would have worn

What a Viking woman would have worn

The names of clothing that the Vikings wore

Weapons that the Vikings used

A Viking ship reconstruction

A Viking village reconstructed in Ukranenland, an archeological village-museum in Germany

Viking gold bracelets

A Viking boat sculpture in Iceland

An illustration of a Viking boat

A re-enactment of Viking life

Gallery

About

The Vikings wanted new land because the places where they came from in Scandinavia - Norway, Sweden and Denmark - weren't very easy to live in. It was hard to grow crops, which meant there wasn't a lot of food as the population got bigger. Britain and Europe had plenty of good farmland, so the Vikings tried to claim some of that land for themselves.

Even though the Anglo-Saxons were pretty well established in England, the Vikings would turn up every now and then to raid towns and take a bit of land. Sometimes, instead of fighting the Vikings, the Anglo-Saxons decided it was better to pay them money so they'd stay away. This payment was called Danegeld.

The first Viking attack on England was in 787 on the Isle of Portland. The Vikings went home straight afterwards, but they came back to England in 793 and raided a monastery at Lindisfarne. Monastaries made easy targets because the monks who lived there didn't have any weapons, and they did have money and food.

The Vikings believed in many different gods, and they thought making sacrifices to the gods kept them all happy. They also told stories about the gods, called Norse mythology. Some of the gods included:

Thor, the god of thunder

Idun, the goddess of spring

Odin, the king of gods and the god of war

The Vikings believed that if a warrior died while fighting in battle, he'd go to Valhalla, which is where Odin was. Other heroes who had died would also be there. Odin would send his warrior maidens, called Valkyries, across the sky to ferry dead warriors to Valhalla.

Viking warriors were very good fighters. They'd wear helmets and carry shields to defend themselves, and they'd also have one of these weapons:

spear - a leaf shape or spike at the end of a wooden shaft

sword - these were expensive to make and usually double-edged, and warriors would decorate the hilts

battle axe - an axe with a long handle, and cheaper to make than a sword

Boats that the Vikings built are called longships - they are long, narrow boats that can be used in both deep and shallow water, making them perfect for travelling over the ocean and carrying lots of warriors onto the shore. Longships were symmetrical, meaning they looked the same at the front as they did at the back. They'd often have dragon heads carved at either end.
VIkings sailed all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to Newfoundland in North America in their longships!
Viking homes were long too - they were called longhouses! They were rectangular, made from wood and were usually just one big room without any inside walls. There would be one big fire pit in the centre for cooking and keeping the house warm. The roof was covered in thatch, and there was a hole in the middle for smoke from the fire to go through. Benches around the house would be used both to sit on and to sleep on.

Most clothes that the Vikings had were made from wool, but they also had some clothes made from linen. They used dyes made from plants and minerals to make red, green, brown, yellow and blue, so their clothes were very colourful.

Viking men wore a long shirt, trousers with a drawstring tie and a coat with a belt around the waist. Viking women wore long dresses with a tunic over the top that was held up by two brooches pinned at the shoulders. Both men and women wore woollen socks and leather shoes.

Alfred the Great defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Ethandun (in modern day Wiltshire). After this, he and the Vikings agreed to set boundaries for their kingdoms. The area that the Vikings lived in was called Danelaw, and it meant that the land south of the diagonal line between London and Chester belonged to King Alfred (Wessex). Danelaw eventually became smaller and smaller as the Anglo-Saxons took more and more control.

Jorvik was a large Viking kingdom around York. The last king of Jorvik was Eric Bloodaxe, who was driven out in 954. The Vikings in England then agreed to be ruled by the king of England rather than having their own king.

But, that doesn't mean that the king of England couldn't be a Viking! The first Viking king of England was King Canute in 1016. He ruled until 1035, and then his sons were kings after that - but only for a total of seven years. Harold Harefoot was king until 1040, then Hardicanute was king until 1042.

Names to know:

King Canute (ruled as king of England from 1016-1035) - Canute was the first Viking king of England. He won a battle against Edmund II that divided their kingdoms, but when Edmund died Canute ruled both kingdoms. His sons, Harold Harefoot and then Hardicanute, ruled until 1042.

Harald Hardrada (c.1015-1066) - Harald Hardrada was the king of Norway. He led Viking armies into England, but was defeated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in York by King Harold II.

Leif Erikson (c.970-1020) - Leif Erikson was a famous Viking explorer who sailed all the way to North America.

Eric Bloodaxe (died in 954) - Eric Bloodaxe was king of the Viking kingdom of Jorvik between 947-948 and 952-954. He was the last king of Jorvik before it became part of England.

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Fascinating facts, did-you-knows, timeline, images and videos all about the Vikings to support primary school history topic work

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10 facts about the Vikings | National Geographic Kids

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After the Anglo-Saxons, came the vicious Vikings! Join the National Geographic Kids gang as we learn to live like a Scandinavian sea-warrior, in our ten fierce facts about the Vikings... 1. The Vikings were famous for sailing huge distances from their home in Scandinavia between AD 800 and 1066 to raid and plunder, but they also traded with people from other countries.

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The Vikings were a smart, creative, artistic, democratic people. Their society was built on law and order. In fact the word "law" comes from Old Norse, the Viking language. Women had rights and family was important. They loved their kids. They loved their boats. They made everything beautiful - their clothes, their weapons, even their water buckets. They were very clean. They created wonderful stories about their gods and goddesses. They loved games, especially games of agility or skill. They were farmers, craftsmen, traders, explorers, looters, and fierce warriors.

The Vikings dominated parts of Europe for over 600 years - from around 400AD to about 1070 AD. Come meet the talented people of the north!
For Kids Viking Geography Viking Families & Daily Life Viking Names Viking Society Vikings Homes Viking Food and Drink Viking Clothing, Hairstyles, Jewelry Viking Entertainment & Sports Viking (Norse) Art & Music Viking Religion Norse Gods and Goddesses Viking Myths Viking Mythical Monsters Viking Stories and Sagas Viking Jobs
Viking Longboats (also called longships)
Viking Exploration Viking Looting Viking Traders, Goods, Money Viking Settlers Viking Towns Viking Warriors Viking Written Language - Runes, Runic Inscriptions, and Runestones Our Days of the Week - Named for Norse Gods Interactive Viking Games For Teachers Viking Lesson Plans

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The Vikings for Kids and Teachers - Lesson Plans, Games, Powerpoints, Activities

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The Vikings were a smart, creative, artistic, democratic people. Their society was built on law and order. In fact the word "law" comes from Old Norse, the Viking language. Women had rights and family was important. They loved their kids. They loved their boats.

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The Maya Indians for Kids and Teachers - The Maya Empire for Kids

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Skilled Builders: Nobody knows where they came from, but about 2,400 years ago, a new tribe of people appeared in Central America. They settled in the rainforests of the Yucatan Peninsula. They were called the Maya Indians. They were very clever people. They built cities deep in…

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Kids learn about the ancient civilizations of the Americas including the Aztecs, Maya, and Inca Empires.

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The Maya civilization and Mayan religion. They lived there for a long time and some of the Maya people live there even today.

The Mayans lived there 4,000 years ago (about 2000 BC). At that date, complex societies were living in the Mayan region. The staple foods of the Maya diet were cultivated. Their food included maize, beans, squashes, and chili peppers. The first Maya cities developed around 750 BC.

The Mayan people used a written language and a numeral system. They were good at art, building, and their priests studied stars and planets, which helped them make calendars.

The Conquistadors arrived in the 15th century and took over Mexico and later Central America, even in the Mayann areas. However, the Maya people still live there today. They live in the same areas the Mayan civilization used to live in. They keep the old Mayan traditions and beliefs. There are many Mayan languages still spoken today, including one called the Achi language. A play called Rabinal Achi is considered important.

The people of the Maya civilization lived in three different areas: the southern Maya highlands, the central lowlands, and the northern lowlands. They had many different types of land, including mountains and dry plains. People living in the low plains by the sea were affected by hurricanes and tropical storms from the Caribbean.

The pre-classical period

There were other people around at the time, especially in the north. The Olmec, the Mixe-Zoque, and Zapotec civilizations mostly lived in the area we now call Oaxaca. We don't know exactly where the borders of the Maya civilization were. Many of the most important early examples of writing and buildings appeared in north, so these cultures probably affected the Maya civilization.

The classical period

From about 250 to 909, the Maya civilization built many monuments and cities, and made many important carvings. The "southern lowlands" were an important place at the time. The Maya civilization made many discoveries about art and thinking there.

Like Ancient Greece, their civilization was made up of numerous cities, which all worked in different ways. People gathered around these cities to farm. Well-known cities were Tikal, Palenque, Copán and Calakmul. Lesser-known cities were Dos Pilas, Uaxactun, Altun Ha, and Bonampak, among others. In general, we know more about where the cities were in the south than we do in the north. Some northern cities we do know about were Oxkintok, Chunchucmil, and Uxmal.

Their most famous monuments are the pyramids they built as part of their religious centers, and the palaces. The palace at Cancuén is the largest we know about in the Maya area. The Maya also made carved stone slabs which they called tetun, or "tree-stones". These slabs show rulers along with hieroglyphic writing describing their family, military victories, and other things that they did well.

Trade with other civilizations

The Maya had trade routes that ran over long distances. They traded with many other Mesoamerican cultures, such as Teotihuacan, the Zapotec, and other groups in central and gulf-coast Mexico. They also traded with groups that were farther away. For example, people who study the Maya civilization found gold from Panama in the Sacred well at Chichen Itza.

Some important things they traded were cacao, salt, sea shells, jade and obsidian.

Sudden collapse

Between 900 AD and 1000 AD, the cities in the southern lowlands had more and more problems until all the people left. The Maya civilization there stopped making big monuments and carvings. People who study the Maya civilization are not sure why this happened. They have many different ideas - some people think there was a big environmental disaster, or a disease affected a lot of people, or there were just too many people for the amount of food they could grow.

Post-classical period and decline

The Itza Maya, Ko'woj, and Yalain groups around what is now Guatamela were still around, but there were not very many of them. By 1520, they had built themselves back up again and started to build cities. The Itza had their capital at Tayasal (also known as Noh Petén), and people who study the Maya civlisation think what's left of this city is below the modern city of Flores, Guatemala on Lake Petén Itzá. The Ko'woj had their capital at Zacpeten. Some Mayan cultures were still living in the southern highlands.

The Quiché kingdom produced the most famous Mayan work, the Popol Vuh. It talks about the creation of the world, the Mayan gods and goddesses, how humans and animals were created and why the Quiché kingdom was the best one in the Maya civilization.

The Spanish started to conquer Maya lands. It took them a long time (170 years) to finish doing this because the Mayans had no capital city and each city had a different culture. The last Mayan states, the Itza city of Tayasal and the Ko'woj city of Zacpeten, still had people living in them late into the 17th century. They were finally conquered in 1697.

There are still about 6 million Maya people living in Central America.

Images for kids

Calakmul was one of the most important Classic period cities.

Classic period sculpture showing sajal Aj Chak Maax presenting captives before ruler Itzamnaaj Bʼalam III of Yaxchilan

Pages from the Postclassic period Paris Codex, one of the few surviving Maya books in existence

In Spanish: Cultura maya para niños

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Back to History for Kids
Ancient Rome was a powerful and important civilization that ruled much of Europe for nearly 1000 years. The culture of Ancient Rome was spread throughout Europe during its rule. As a result, Rome's culture still has an impact in the Western world today. The basis for much of Western culture comes from Ancient Rome, especially in areas such as government, engineering, architecture, language, and literature.

The city of Rome is the capital of Italy today
Map of Italy from the CIA World Factbook

The Roman Republic

Rome first grew into power as a Republic. This meant that Rome's leaders, such as senators, were elected officials that served for a limited amount of time, not kings who were born into leadership and ruled for life. They had a complex government with written laws, a constitution, and a balance of powers. These concepts became very important in forming future democratic governments, like the United States.

The Republic would rule Rome for hundreds of years from around 509 BC to 45 BC.

The Roman Empire

In 45 BC Julius Caesar took over the Roman Republic and made himself the supreme dictator. This was the end of the republic. A few years later, in 27 BC, Caesar Augustus became the first Roman Emperor and this was the start of the Roman Empire. Much of the lower level government stayed the same, but now the Emperor had supreme power.

The Roman Forum was the center of government
Photo by Adrian Pingstone

The Empire Splits

As the Roman Empire grew it became more and more difficult to manage from the city of Rome. Eventually the Roman leaders decided to split Rome into two empires. One was the Western Roman Empire and was ruled out of the city of Rome. The other was the Eastern Roman Empire and was ruled out of Constantinople (today's Istanbul in Turkey). The Eastern Roman Empire would become known as Byzantium or theByzantine Empire.

Fall of Rome

The fall of Rome generally refers to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It fell in 476 AD. The Eastern Roman Empire, or the Byzantine Empire, would rule parts of Eastern Europe for another 1000 years.

Interesting Facts about Ancient Rome

The city of Rome is the capital of Italy today. It sits on the same site as the city of ancient Rome. If you were to visit Rome you could see many of the original ancient buildings such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

The Circus Maximus, a huge stadium built for chariot races, could seat around 150,000 people.

The fall of Western Rome is considered the start of the "Dark Ages" in Europe.

The highest position in the Roman Republic was the consul. There were two consuls at the same time to make sure that one didn't become too powerful.

The native language of the Romans was Latin, but they often spoke Greek as well.

When Julius Caesar took power he named himself dictator for life. However, this didn't last long as he was assassinated a year later.

Recommended books and references:

Nature Company Discoveries library: Ancient Rome by Judith Simpson. 1997.

Exploring the culture, people & ideas of this powerful empire by Avery Hart & Sandra Gallagher ; illustrations by Michael Kline. 2002.

Eyewitness Books: Ancient Rome written by Simon James. 2004.

Activities

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Kids learn about the civilization and history of Ancient Rome including the Roman Republic, Empire, art, religion, army, daily life, people, Senate, and the fall of Rome. Educational articles for students, schools, and teachers.

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Discover Ancient Rome

Understanding people in the past can be fun, learning about ancient Rome is interesting and enjoyable. Some kings like Lucius were not very popular and sometimes cruel to people. They became very powerful and conquered other lands. They had patricians who were rich nobles and owner a lot of land. The plebeians were servants, tradesmen and generally had smaller farms. Enjoy learning and do not forget it is about having fun.

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Ancient Roman History for Kids - Fun Facts to Learn

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Discover Ancient Rome Understanding people in the past can be fun, learning about ancient Rome is interesting and enjoyable. Some kings like Lucius were not very popular and sometimes cruel to people. They became very powerful and conquered other lands. They had patricians who were rich nobles and owner a lot of land.

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Kids learn about the civilization and history of ancient Greece including the government, philosophy, science, Athens, Sparta, daily life, people, art, architecture, theater, and mythology. Educational articles for students, schools, and teachers.

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Join us, ancient explorers, as we head back 5,000 years through history to discover fascinating facts about Ancient Egypt, from its ancient beginnings to Egypt today...
Discover facts about Ancient Egypt below or skip to our facts about modern-day Egypt.

Facts about Ancient Egypt

1) Most Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs (rulers of Ancient Egypt) and their families. To date, over 130 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt.

2) The afterlife was incredibly important to the Egyptians. They believed that by preserving a dead person's body - which they did through the process of mummification - their soul would live on in the afterlife forever.

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3) The Pyramid of Khufu at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid. This incredible structure weighs as much as 16 Empire State buildings!

4) Both Egyptian men and women wore make-up. The eye paint was usually green (made from copper) or black (made from lead). As well as offering protection from the sun, the Egyptians believed make-up had magical healing powers, too!

5) Unwrapped, the bandages of an Ancient Egyptian mummy could stretch for 1.6km. Yikes!

6) The Egyptian alphabet contained more than 700 hieroglyphs! Uncover the meaning behind these ancient symbols by checking out our awesome hieroglyphics feature.

7) Ancient Egyptians believed in more than 2,000 deities! They had gods for everything, from dangers to chores! Each had different responsibilities and needed to be worshipped so that life could be kept in balance.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Ancient Egypt primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

8) Cats were considered sacred animals by the Ancient Egyptians. It's thought that most families kept a cat as a pet, which they believed would bring the household good luck!

9) Love playing board games with your pals? Well, gang, so did the Ancient Egyptians! One popular game was , which was played for over 2,000 years! The game involved throwing sticks (in the same way we throw dice) to see how many squares to move your piece forward on the board.

10) The Ancient Egyptians invented lots of things we still use today, such as paper, pens, locks and keys and - believe it or not - toothpaste!

If you enjoyed these facts about Ancient Egypt, make sure you check out our other Ancient Egypt pages! Discover the Nile River, figure out hieroglyphics and learn about Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses.

Country fact file: Egypt today

Incredible ancient monuments, scorching deserts and bustling cities - this ancient country is now a sprawling, modern landscape! Read on to learn about the Egypt of today...

Egyptian flag

OFFICIAL NAME: Arab Republic of Egypt
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Republic
CAPITAL: Cairo
POPULATION: 87, 562, 261
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Arabic
MONEY: Egyptian pound, guinay
AREA: 1,001,449 square kilometres
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Eastern Highlands
MAJOR RIVER: Nile
FLAG:

Map of Egypt

Egypt: geography and landscape

Without the Nile River, all of Egypt would be desert. Only about an 2.5cm of rain falls throughout Egypt each year. But each summer, the Nile river rises because of rains at its source, far to the south in Ethiopia. When this happens, floods cover the river's valleys, leaving sediments needed for trees, plants and crops to grow.

Egypt is often divided into two sections - Upper Egypt in the south and Lower Egypt in the north. The sections are named this way because the Nile flows from south to north. The river empties into the Mediterranean Sea, on the country's north coast.

Southern Egypt's landscape contains low mountains and desert. Northern Egypt has wide valleys near the Nile, and desert to the east and west. North of Cairo (Egypt's capital city) is the sprawling, triangular Nile River Delta. This fertile land is completely covered with farms.

Egypt's incredible nature

Egypt is home to a wide variety of animals and plants, including cheetahs, hyenas, crocodiles and cobras. The best places to see Egypt's wildlife are in its 21 protected regions, which include oases, deserts, mountains, coastal areas, river islands and wetlands.

Egyptians have always been close to the natural world. The ancient Egyptians left paintings and carvings (which can still be seen today!) of large animals like elephants, hippos, leopards and cheetahs. These animals were once common in Egypt, but they are now rare or extinct because of hunting and habitat loss.

The history of Egypt

The first people to live on the banks of the Nile were hunters and fishermen, who settled there over 8,000 years ago. They learned to grow crops and raise animals, and they began to build villages and towns. They traded with their neighbours and learned to sail boats. By 3000 B.C., a civilisation was established.

Around 3100 B.C., the kingdoms of Upper and Lower Egypt were unified under a powerful king, later called a pharaoh. These kings built huge pyramids, temples and other impressive monuments. They also conquered other lands.

By 1000 B.C., Egypt had split into smaller parts and the kingdom was in decline. Strong neighbours attacked and took over Egyptian territory - in 31 B.C., Egypt fell under Roman control and centuries later, in A.D. 640, Muslim warriors took over Egypt. These Arab forces ruled Egypt for several centuries and founded the modern capital, Cairo.

In 1882, the British invaded and occupied Egypt. The British wanted control of the Suez Canal, which linked the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and greatly shortened the sailing trip from Asia to Europe. The British stayed until Egypt declared independence in 1952.

Egyptian people and culture

About 90 percent of Egyptians are Muslim, which means they are followers of the Islam religion. About ten percent of Egyptians are Copts, one of the oldest branches of the Christian religion.

Egypt's population is growing rapidly. This puts strain on Egypt's resources, since most people live in a narrow strip of land along the Nile River. Having so many people in such a small area causes overcrowding everywhere, from schools and hospitals to apartment buildings and public transport.

Children are highly valued in Egypt, especially in rural areas where they help on family farms. Children are also expected to look after their parents in their old age.

Egyptian government and economy

Egypt's geography, population, history and military strength have made it highly influential in the region. Egypt is a democratic republic, although some critics claim that it is not truly democratic. Until 2005, there was never more than one presidential candidate to vote for.

Egypt's most valuable resources are oil and gas, which are exported to other countries. Other exports include metals, textiles, livestock and chemical products. Tourism is also an important part of Egypt's economy, with visitors flocking to see the famous ancient monuments and to enjoy the country's beautiful beaches.

Want to learn more about awesome ancient cultures? Then check out our Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece features. Plus, discover more amazing facts from around the world in National Geographic Kids magazine!

Image credits: Egypt map: National Geographic Maps. Mosque in Egypt: Rraheb, Dreamstime. Man pouring juice, Cairo, Egypt: Jackmalipan, Dreamstime. Outdoor cafe in Cairo, Egypt: Jackmalipan, Dreamstime. Sphinx and pyramid at Giza, Egypt: Javarman, Dreamstime. All other photographs and illustrations: Getty Images UK

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10 Facts About Ancient Egypt | National Geographic Kids

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Discover incredible facts about Ancient Egypt with Nat Geo Kids! Learn about the country's ancient & modern history, pyramids and more...

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Understanding Ancient Egypt

We really hope you enjoy these fun facts about Egypt. You will learn about the Pharaoh's who were the Kings of all the land. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses?

Or that they invented things like the calendar and glass blowing! Things that we still use each and every day. Learn about Pyramids like the great pyramid at Giza. It can be fun to learn about history and all that happened in the past.

Monuments and Geography

King Tut was a pharaoh in Egypt who lived from 1341 B.C. to 1323 B.C. His full name was Tutankhamun. King Tut was the 12 th pharaoh
Read More

The Valley of the Kings was a place in Ancient Egypt that was located in the Southern part of Egypt and it was located west of the Nile River
Read More

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Ancient Egyptian History for Kids - Fun Facts to Learn

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Understanding Ancient Egypt We really hope you enjoy these fun facts about Egypt. You will learn about the Pharaoh's who were the Kings of all the land. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses? Or that they invented things like the calendar and glass blowing!

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https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_egypt.php

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Kids learn about the civilization of ancient Egypt including the pharaohs, pyramids, art, government, geography, Nile River, mummies, religion, hieroglyphics, and clothing. Educational articles for students, schools, and teachers.

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Long before Columbus sailed the ocean blue, the Inca people built a vast empire. So how did how fewer than 200 Spanish conquistadors manage to bring the mighty empire down?

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BrainPOP - Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology

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The year is 1475. It's wintertime, and the Inca (EENG-kah) royal family is vacationing in Machu Picchu, a small city that serves as their royal retreat in what's now Peru. The Inca capital city, Cusco, is now too cold, so the royals have traveled about 50 miles down the Andes mountains.

Wearing golden jewelry and colorful ponchos made of alpaca wool, the royals, priests, and other high-ranking officials feast, hunt, worship their gods, and entertain guests. Meanwhile, the other 750 residents work to maintain the city, serving the royals and growing food like potatoes, corn, and beans on the hillside.

At their most powerful, the Inca had the largest empire in the world at the time-today, it's still the largest empire to ever exist in the Americas. Stretching from modern-day southern Colombia to southern Chile, they ruled over western South America from the Andes to the Pacific Ocean. Although Spain conquered the Inca Empire in 1533, many Inca people retreated into the mountains, where their culture, language, and practices remain today.

History of the Inca civilization

Historians think that Inca people arrived in the valley where they would later build their capital city, Cusco, around 1100. It was a difficult place to live: Rain didn't fall often, so crops were tough to grow. That meant that groups often fought for the best land near rivers. Over time, the Inca conquered nearby people, gaining more power and eventually taking control of the Cusco Valley around 1300.

In 1438, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui (pah-chah-KOO-tee EENG-kah YOO-pahn-wee) became the ninth Inca emperor. With his sons as military captains, the emperor began a massive expansion of the Inca territory beyond the Cusco area. He gave government jobs to people who spoke Quechua, the Inca language. This king also ordered construction of Machu Picchu around the year 1450.

Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui gave power to his son Topa Inca Yupanqui in 1471. He expanded the empire more than any other Inca leader and eventually controlled most of western South America. At this time, the Inca ruled over 12 million people who spoke about 30 different languages.

The Inca demanded that conquered people who didn't speak Quechua, like the Chanka who spoke Aymara and the Chimú who spoke Mochica, had to serve in the army and build military outposts, temples, and roads. Those roads were impressive. Troops and Inca officials moved throughout the empire on a system that included two main highways, one along the coast and another along the Andes. Many smaller roads connected the two. The road system also included tunnels, bridges, and storehouses to provide travelers with supplies and rest stops.

Throughout the empire's history, small groups of conquered people often rebelled against the Inca, and rebellions were happening in the 1500s, too. Then around 1526, two sons of an Inca king fought over who should rule next, and a civil war began. At the same time, diseases like smallpox brought by European explorers killed around 65 percent of the population. This is when the Spanish encountered the Inca.

The search for gold was one of the main reasons that the Spanish wanted to explore and conquer the Americas. (That's because when Christopher Columbus returned to Spain from his first voyage in the Americas, he told stories of people adorned with gold.) Led by Francisco Pizarro, a group of 180 Spanish went searching for a large city with temples covered in gold-it was Cusco. For years the Inca had mined gold and silver from the Andes mountains to create beautiful pieces of jewelry and art.

In 1533, Pizarro teamed up with enemies of Inca emperor Atahualpa to capture him. To save his own life, Atahualpa offered Pizarro enough gold and silver to fill the room that he was being kept in.

But the bargain didn't save him-or the empire. After the treasures were gathered, Pizarro melted down all the gold and silver pots, jewelry, figurines, and other items, then split the treasure among the Spanish invaders. (Historians estimate that it was worth about $387 million in today's money.) Then Pizarro executed Atahualpa, ending the Inca Empire.

Life in the Inca civilization

Most Inca people were farmers or herders, looking after alpacas and llamas. Extended families lived together on the same land, making their own clothing and blankets from alpaca and llama wool. Their homes were made of stone or adobe mud and topped with a roof of dried grass. All members of the family were expected to help, including children.

Because the Inca lived in the mountains, they often had to build terraces, or flat areas cut into the hillside, to plant their crops in. They also had to dig canals so they could direct mountain streams and rain to crops like quinoa, corn, avocados, and potatoes.

The harsh climate meant that food was sometimes scarce, so the Inca figured out how to preserve some crops to make them last a long time. For example, they would slowly squeeze the moisture out of potatoes over several days. The dried-out potato could last up to 10 years.

The Inca believed that their rulers were sons of the sun god Inti (in-TEE) and mummified them after death by removing their organs, preserving the body with alcohol, and freezing their remains in the cold, dry mountain air. Like ancient Egyptian pharaohs, these royals were buried with their treasures. Average people also sometimes mummified their dead by simply placing them in cold, dry caves. They would sometimes bring out the mummified ancestors during ceremonies like weddings or harvest festivals, or to important community meetings.

Historians have found evidence that some of these mummified people were sacrificed to the Inca gods. However, the Inca did not perform human sacrifice nearly as often as the Aztec people did.

The Inca didn't have a written language. Instead, they used knotted cords called quipu (KEE-poo) to keep records. Experts think that things like the style of the knot and the color of the string all contained information. Researchers are using computers to try to untangle these long-lost codes.

Why the Inca civilization still matters

The Spanish never found Machu Picchu, so it wasn't known to the outside world until 1911, when Peruvian guide Melchor Arteaga led explorer Hiram Bingham to the site. Experts were amazed to see ruins of Machu Picchu's buildings still standing despite being on a mountain that experiences earthquakes. Today, people from all over the world travel to visit Machu Picchu, hiking along the Inca trail that was used 500 years ago.

Some Peruvian people still use Inca weaving techniques to make clothes today, and over eight million people still speak Quechua, the language of the Inca. You probably use a few Quechan words, too, like condor, jerky, llama, poncho, puma, and quinoa.

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See how this powerful culture ruled from the Andes mountains of Peru 500 years ago.

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The Inca grew such crops as corn, squash, tomatoes, peanuts, and cotton. Inca farmers were the first to grow potatoes. They also raised guinea pigs, ducks, alpacas, and dogs. The Inca rode animals called llamas and also used them as work animals.

The Inca made clothing from llama wool and cotton. They made pottery and musical instruments. They also made things out of metal.

The Inca built their houses using stone or adobe (sun-baked clay). The ruins of the Inca city of Machu Picchu are famous for their well-made buildings.

The Inca spoke a language called Quechua. They had no form of writing. However, they kept records using a complicated system of colored knotted cords called quipus.

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The Inca people once ruled a vast empire in the Andes Mountains of South America. Their capital was Cuzco, in what is now Peru. The Inca Empire included about 12 million...

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The Inca Indians created an empire high in the rugged Andes Mountains of South America. They built thousands of miles of roads and connected mountain peaks with bridges. Everyone in the empire was well fed and no one was homeless. Yet, the Inca Indians never invented the wheel. They never invented a system of writing. But although their empire only lasted about 100 years, the Inca Indians created a system of government, a history, trade and economy, tall tales and legends, stories about their many gods and goddesses, all kinds of very strange customs, and paved their cities with gold. Come meet the Children of the Sun. Welcome to the Inca Empire!

For Kids
Quick History Early Tribes Manco Capac Daily Life in the Inca Empire Hair Styles Kids & School The Sapa Inca Trade and Economy The Common People Religion, Dreams and Omens Myths and Legends Government The Inca Army Cuzco, Capital City Crime & Punishment Terrace Farming Domesticated Animals Llama Legends Professions Buildings and Architecture Inca Roads & Bridges Roadrunners Tall Tale Lords The Hero Pachacuti Spanish Arrival Inventions Machu Picchu Games (about the Incas) Take the Quiz, Interactive (with answers)
For Teachers
The Incas for Teachers Free Ready Made Presentations about the Inca Interactive Quiz
Free Use Inca Clipart

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The Inca Empire for Kids and Teachers - The Inca Empire for Kids

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The Inca Indians created an empire high in the rugged Andes Mountains of South America. They built thousands of miles of roads and connected mountain peaks with bridges. Everyone in the empire was well fed and no one was homeless. Yet, the Inca Indians never invented the wheel.

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Ancient Mesopotamia for Kids - Free Interactive Games and Activities - Mesopotamia for Kids

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Meet the ancient Mesopotamians - the early people who invented the first sailboat, the first super hero, the first four level homes, the first war helmets, the first written language, the first written laws, and the gloomiest gods. They were the first farmers and invented the…

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Find out how oracle bones could foretell the future! Meet Confucius, the great teacher. Read ancient stories like Nian the Monster, Wang the Peddler, and Loawnu the Wise. Discover how paper was invented. Learn about Taoism and the Ugly Duckling. Walk the Great Wall of China. Travel and trade along the dangerous Silk Road! Meet magical creatures. Guess the meaning of two ancient Chinese fables. Discover guardian dragons. Explore daily life in the Xia, Shang, Chou, Qin, Han, Tang, Song and Ming Dynasties. Welcome to Ancient China!

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Find out how oracle bones could foretell the future! Meet Confucius, the great teacher. Read ancient stories like Nian the Monster, Wang the Peddler, and Loawnu the Wise. Discover how paper was invented. Learn about Taoism and the Ugly Duckling. Walk the Great Wall of China. Travel and trade along the dangerous Silk Road!

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Ancient Persia Facts for Kids | History, Events, Figures, Civilization

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Journey back in time to explore the captivating realm of Ancient Persia, an extraordinary civilization that left an indelible mark on the annals of history.

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History for kids - Free history network for kids

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Persian Empire

Background

The Persian Empire, which is sometimes called the Achaemenid Empire, was enormous, stretching from Anatolia (we now call this Turkey) and Egypt across to the north of India and Central Asia. It lasted from 550-330 B.C.

Cyrus the Great

Cyrus the Great, also known as Cyrus II, led a large grouping of different Persian tribes to defeat another tribe called the medians. After this battle, Cyrus led his army to major conquests.

He defeated the Lydians of western Anatolia. Later in, 539 B.C., Cyrus's army defeated the Babylonian army to gain this most valuable city for his empire.

Cyrus had not yet conquered Egypt. He left this task to his son Cambyses who attacked and destroyed the Egyptian army in 525 BC.

Cyrus the Great was not the typical ancient Mesopotamian leader. He is known for his respect of different tribes and peoples. For example, in Babylon, Cyrus told the people that if they worked and paid tax in his kingdom, he would give them the freedom to live according to their own beliefs and customs.

Although tolerant of other religions, the Persians believed in and worshiped only one god called Zoroaster. In ancient Mesopotamia, people usually worshipped many different gods

Darius the Great

The Greek wars

After the death of Cambyses, Darius the Great, or Darius I, became the new leader of the empire. He had to deal with a series of uprisings in areas that had been conquered by Cyrus, but he managed to re-establish control.

Darius created a new form of government to control his empire. He established 20 different provinces called satrapies. They were each led by a governor called a satrap who collected tax and maintained law. Darius appointed the satrap and he also nominated a military commander for each region to help keep order in his empire.

Darius had a massive royal road network available to him. This network, which had roads of around 8000 miles in total, was crucial for connecting the empire and keeping it under control.

Darius used his postal service to keep close contact with all the provinces. On each road, there were postal stations where couriers would change horses as letters made their way to the king.

The Fall of the Persian Empire

In around 499 BC the Persian Empire experienced a Greek uprising in Ionia, followed by a series of smaller uprisings in the far western parts of the empire. Darius recognised the Greek threat and decided to take action.

In 490 BC,Darius decided to invade Greece. Although the Persians greatly outnumbered the Greeks at the battle of Marathon, the Greeks used thoughtful tactics to defeat their enemy. This was a humiliating defeat for the Persians who lost around 6400 men, compared to the Greek loss of 192 men.

Ten years passed and a new Persian king had taken the throne. His name was Xerxes and he wanted to get revenge for the humiliation suffered by his father. In 480 BC Xerxes led a renewed attack on Greece with an even bigger army determined to be victorious. At first, the invasion had some success as the Persians enjoyed a victory at Thermopylae.

The deciding battle at Salamis was fought in the Saronic Gulf. This naval war was an important turning point in the history of the Persian Empire. As in the early battles, the Greeks had a much smaller fleet compared to the Persians. Again, the Greeks won through tactics by drawing in the Persian ships, ramming and destroying them.

The defeat to Greece did not immediately cause the collapse of the Persian Empire, but it did show that the Persians could be defeated.

Under different leaders, problems to the west of the empire continued. This time the Egyptians tried to fight off their Persian masters, but with little success.

The satraps gradually became less loyal to the king and showed signs that they too wanted more freedom and power. But the Persian Empire still held together.

A young Macedonian king and military leader called Alexander the Great began his conquest of the Persian Empire in 334 BC. He took over all the former Persian provinces and reached as far as India.

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Background The Persian Empire, which is sometimes called the Achaemenid Empire, was enormous, stretching from Anatolia (we now call this Turkey) and Egypt across to the north of India and Central Asia. It lasted from 550-330 B.C.

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Persian Empire - Ancient World History for Kids!

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Interesting Facts about Daily Life in Ancient China

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Kids learn about the history of Ancient China. Educational articles for teachers, students, and schools including the culture, art, religions, clothing, geography, empire, government, daily life, people, and dynasties of Ancient China.

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More than one-fifth of all the people in the world live in China. The country is also the largest in Asia. China's capital is Beijing. Geography China shares borders with...

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Kids learn about the history of Ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Educational articles for teachers, students, and schools including religion, art, daily life, people and kings, Sumer, Babylon, Assyria, Persia, city-states, science, and more.

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In about 1900 bce people called the Amorites conquered all of Mesopotamia. Under their rule Babylon became the most important city in Mesopotamia. Because the city was so powerful, the whole region became known as Babylonia. The most important Babylonian king was Hammurabi. He is famous for a set of laws made during his reign.

Babylonia began to lose strength after about 1600 bce. The next major power in Mesopotamia was Assyria. In the 1300s bce the Assyrians began to build an empire in northern Mesopotamia and beyond. In 671 bce the Assyrians expanded their rule all the way to Egypt. The Assyrian Empire ended in about 609 bce.

After the fall of Assyria, people called the Chaldeans created a new Babylonian empire. In 539 bce invaders from Persia conquered the Chaldeans. The conqueror Alexander the Great defeated the Persians in about 330 bce. Then Mesopotamia was ruled in turn by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Turks. In 1921 Mesopotamia became the kingdom of Iraq.

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Mesopotamia is a Greek name that means "land between the rivers." It describes an ancient region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the Middle East. Some of the...

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Ancient Greece - KS2 History - BBC Bitesize

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KS2 History Ancient Greece learning resources for adults, children, parents and teachers.

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Facts about Ancient Greece for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Join us here at National Geographic Kids as we travel thousands of years back in time to discover ten fascinating facts about Ancient Greece…