Free Ancient History Essay Examples & Topics

Free Ancient History Essay Examples & Topics

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335 samples

An ancient history essay is a type of assignment that requires students to analyze events, historical figures, and past societies. Based on this research, you will make a claim that should be supported with proof and historical evidence.

That is why our experts prepared a list of tips and advice on how to succeed in writing your following paper in ancient history. At the end of the article, you will also be able to find free samples. Besides, here you’ll have access to ancient history topics that can be useful for practicing or coming up with your ideas.

Any ancient history essay should be based on factual proof and solid arguments regardless of the period it focuses on. A legitimate question might arise: where do I get the evidence? For that, you need to understand where to find information. For most of your papers, the use of primary and secondary sources is a requirement.

Let’s figure out the difference between the two:

  1. Primary Sources are immediate first-hand accounts of a topic. Usually, people directly related to events write them. Primary sources include documents, laws, speeches, photographs, newspapers, and many more.
  2. Secondary Sources are sources that quote primary sources. These resources focus on historical events as well. However, they add a level of interpretation and analysis. Secondary sources can include books, research papers, scholarly articles, documentaries.

A student who strives to produce a well-written ancient times essay should conduct historical analysis. However, what is it? It is a method of examining the evidence to understand the past.

While the past consists of all the events that happened, history is what we know about these events. We have to carefully examine who wrote the text or took the picture to avoid the “authority trap” confusion. One of the ways to do it is by applying the five “w”s:

  • Who?
  • Where?
  • When?
  • What?
  • Why?

History is not a straight line with only one perspective and one answer. Therefore, a good historian is not looking for the truth. They are looking at the forces that shaped history as we know it. Examining a wide range of sources will allow you to write a profound essay.

For a student to deliver a logical paper with solid argumentation, the research has to follow a specific structure:

  • First, you need to draft your thesis statement. Remember that it might change as you learn more and more about the topic. If you’re unsure about your wording, you can use our thesis generator.
  • Then, you should look once again at your sources to decide which are relevant for your paper. For that, you can annotate them and write a short paragraph that summarizes the main idea of the source. When you come back to them later on, it will be less confusing.
  • In the end, provide your arguments with supporting evidence from the sources. Make sure the order in which you list them is logical.

Outlining your ancient history essay is the critical way to keep it clear and straight to the point. The elements that you should include are as follows:

  1. The research question from the prompt or developed by you.
  2. Your thesis statement.
  3. The main idea of the paragraphs.
  4. The evidence that you will use in every paragraph.

16 Ancient History Essay Topics

To simplify your work, we’ve gathered a list of ancient history topics to write about. Here are issues you can use for practice or draw inspiration for your next assignment.

Try the following ideas:

  1. What caused the fall of the Roman empire?
  2. The construction of the Great Pyramids in Ancient Egypt.
  3. A study of Gods and religious beliefs in Ancient Greece.
  4. The governmental structure and organization in Ancient Rome.
  5. Julius Caesar’s role in the expansion of the Roman Empire.
  6. The structure of labor and slavery in Ancient Egypt.
  7. The importance of the Pharaoh in the New Kingdom.
  8. How did the Olympic Games become an international issue?
  9. Odysseus as an epic hero in Trojan War.
  10. Gods, Goddesses, and Deities of the city of Troy.
  11. Ancient Egypt and Ancient Mesopotamia comparison.
  12. The significance of sports in Ancient Greece.
  13. An analysis of the reign of King Xerxes of Persia.
  14. Roman citizenship and human rights in Ancient Rome.
  15. Similarities between Mesoamerica and Mesopotamia.
  16. The means of communication in Ancient times during the war.

Thank you for reading our article till the very end. We hope you found it useful for your research. You can now look at the ancient history essay examples below.

335 Best Essay Examples on Ancient History

Mesopotamian Civilization

The history of this great land can be traced through looking at the history of different people who occupied it who included the Sumerians, the Akkadians, the Amorites, the Hitites, the Kassites, the Assyrians, and [...]
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the Fall of Rome

When observed in another way, the primary cause of the collapse was the conflict between the need to manage wealth and the desire to spend it.
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Mesopotamian and Ancient Greek Civilizations Comparison

Socially, the two civilizations were very different; the Greeks were known for their strong sense of democracy, while the Mesopotamians were ruled by kings and queens. The ancient Mesopotamian and Greek civilizations were two of [...]
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The Stone Age Period and Its Evolution

Therefore, the term is associated with the tools and the equipments that the ancient people made from the stones. In the Neolithic age, there was development of weaving, pottery and metal weapons and tools began [...]
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The Umayyad Empire: Rise, Growth and Fall

Uthmann's assassination led to the outbreak of the first Muslims' civil war known as the Fitna. Therefore, the conquest of Mecca led to the conversion of Muawiya to Islam.
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Early Greek, Roman, and Christian Historiography

The historiography context of the Romans is quite distinct from the Greek one The Greek historiography began with oral tradition whereas that of the Romans was based on annals and pontifex maximus which were recorded.
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Ancient Rome: The Birthplace of Modern Sports

The popularity of sporting competition in the modern society reflects that of the ancient Roman Empire's vision for its society. Chariot racing was one of the most popular sports in ancient Rome, it later spread [...]
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Herodotus: The Father of History

He proceeded on tour to Athena, Egypt, the Black Sea, and the East of Europe, demonstrating the knowledge and was eventually referred to as "The Father of History".
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The History of Ancient India Analysis

The construction of the massive buildings in the two cities implied the existence of an autocratic regime that mobilized the labor and provided the necessary raw materials.
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Civilized Nations vs. Barbarians in History

The current essay demonstrates the importance of interaction between civilized peoples and barbarians by explaining the outcomes of cultural exchange and potential reasons for conflict.
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The Ancient Mayan Civilization

The political-social organization of the Maya was hierarchical with a king, nobles and priests on top and the common people and slaves on the bottom.
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Comparison of Sumerian and Egyptian Civilization

The most important similarity, which also explains the prosperity of the Sumerians and Egyptians, is the territory and environment. Some similarities can be traced to the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians and the Sumerians.
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Roman Colosseum in Ancient European History

The monument received the name Colosseum in the Middle Ages from the distorted Latin word "colosseum", while in Imperial Rome, it was called the Flavian amphitheater in honor of the imperial dynasty.
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Ancient River-Valley Civilizations Comparison

Due to the plentiful water supply, the civilizations were able to boost their farming activities and start agricultural revolutions a rapid increase in the crops harvest powering the development of the cities and the population [...]
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Structure of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro

The most featured activities were discovery of clothes through the use of the spinning jenny, the domestication of animals, and the discovery of plantation farming.
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History of Ancient Greek

It was the accuracy and correctness of the prediction that daunted astronomers for years to come. This event hailed a new set of astronomers who tried to figure out the means to predict such future [...]
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Aztec: Barbaric or Civilized

In the picture of a gold necklace placed in the Field Museum it is visible to the naked eye that the work is so fine and marvelous that it is even hard to believe the [...]
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History: Plutarch’s Vision of Alexander the Great

One of the greatest strengths of Alexander's character is his vision, ambition, and thirst to succeed. The same corruption leads to Philotus disrespecting the king by claiming that he is enjoying the fruits of his [...]
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The Sumerian Achievements in Modern Times

The Sumerians were able to designate the limits of their country precisely. In the early Sumerians, they sought the assistance of spiritual healers to exorcise the demons they believed were causing people's illnesses.
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The Fall of Roman Republic

The Roman Republic lasted over four and a half centuries until it collapsed due to numerous civil wars and from the Roman Republic the government turned from Republican to a government that had a Principate [...]
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King’s Life: Alexander the Great

Alexander and his father Philip the king had a conflict, when the king decided to marry Cleopatra Eurydice who was a relative to one of kings general.
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Greek and Roman Naming Systems

The remnants of the specified naming system can be found in the present-day context of most languages, with the first name and the last name being the key elements of the naming system as it [...]
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The Rectal Speculum Instrument in Ancient Times

The rectal speculum was one of the most significant surgical devices in Greco-Roman medicine. In terms of the historical background of the instrument's employment, it's important to remember that the spread of Christianity began during [...]
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Modern Societies and Ancient Civilizations Comparison

The phrase human life as used in this essay encompasses all elements of life such as the system of government, the type of architecture, the religion of the people, and the recreation activities practiced by [...]
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Greek Mythology and Christianity

This research paper aims to explore the historical-cultural relationships and aspects of the religious worldview between Greek mythology and Christianity, focusing on three key areas: creation stories, central figures, and divine intervention.
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The Parthenon: An Artifact Analysis

The temple was meant to accommodate the new gigantic sculpture of the goddess by Pheidias and to announce to the world that Athens had beaten the attacking Persian troops under Xerxes and Darius as the [...]
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Stylistic Features: Ancient Middle East and Roman

There are several peculiarities of design indicating that the contemporary dress can be viewed as the adaption of the ancient stola. In Ancient Rome, this type of clothing was used to conceal the sexuality of [...]
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The Aksumite Empire History Overview

The Aksumite Empire was one of the ancient civilizations whose existence was mainly supported by the natural environment and the natural resources of the region.
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Diocletian vs Constantine I Reforms Comparison

Constantine had a new capital that gradually became the cultural and economic center of the Roman Empire. The contrast between the two rulers could be seen in their attitude and relation to the innovations.
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Greek City-States – Ancient History

Using the case of the early Greek poleis, this paper shows that commercialisation and changing attitudes about leadership have changed the nature of states.
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The Pyramids of Giza

These pyramids symbolized the power of Egyptian pharaohs and the idea of wealth that was inherent to the Egyptian nation in the Old Kingdom."Though the kings of the Old Kingdom built pyramids not for the [...]
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How “African” Was Ancient Egypt?

Some argue that the Ancient Egyptians must have been Black Africans, while others state that cannot be true, at least in terms of physical appearance, Combined with the peculiarity of Egyptian culture, from this emerges [...]
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The Great Pyramids of Giza: Formal Analysis

The artwork known as the Great Pyramids of Giza is one of the most prominent examples of global historical heritage. The artwork is represented by buildings in the form of pyramids, and the constructions' relationship [...]
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Rome, Greek, and Egypt Civilizations Comparison

Rome's civilization revolves around the provisions of Rome's culture in shaping the aspects of the progression of the various parts of Roman society's political, economic, and social structure.
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Pompeii Before the Eruption

People of Pompeii were very concerned about their city and its significance for them. There were several riots of Pompeian people against, first, Greeks, then Romans.
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Rise of the Roman Empire

Romulus Augustulus who was the last emperor of the Western empire was deposed in the year 476 and this marked the end of the empire.
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Roman History: Why Julius Caesar Was Assassinated

Julius Caesar was both a politician and a strong leader for the Romans, who were responsible for the changes in the history of the Greco-Roman. Caesar's behavior in the temple was observed to be a [...]
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Religion and Society in Ancient Egypt

The king sought to control the flow of resources which were collected from the provinces and peasants and channeled upward. The class division was strongly present in the mythology of Ancient Egypt and was accepted [...]
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The Great Hymn to Osiris

The passage is critical in the understanding of the Osiris myth since it depicts the position of women in the Egyptian traditional society.
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Egyptian Pharaoh’s Power and Personalities

The records gathered from the offices of pharaohs helped to comprehend the importance of a gender issue in Ancient Egypt. The power of the pharaoh was impressive and could change history.
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Strategies in the Peloponnesian War

A pivotal moment in Greek civilization was the conflict between Sparta and the Athenians in the Peloponnesian War, which is significant in Greek history as it heralded the culmination of Greece's Golden Age, a shift [...]
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Mesopotamia vs. Mexica (Aztec) Civilizations

The society was located in the Valley of Mexico, and its capital was Tenochtitlan, now the site of modern Mexico City. The Mexica religion was a major part of their culture and played a significant [...]
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Roman Values and Social Identity

The fact that according to most of the myths, Rome started from fratricide seems to be quite relevant as the city's history is famously filled with civil conflicts and wars.
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  • Words: 334

Ancient Democracy: Review

All of the Athenians were involved in the process of selecting the candidates for the positions of the Archons the advisors to the ruler of the city.
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  • Words: 623

The Rise and Fall of Constantinople

Byzantine Constantinople was the capital of Christian Empire the successor of Greece and Rome, and it became the wealthiest and the largest city in the whole Europe.
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The Analysis of Hellenistic Age

When talking of the Hellenistic Age, it refers to the time period of about 30 years between the death of Alexander the Great and the rise of the Roman Empire under the leadership of Augustus [...]
  • Pages: 4
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Women Roles in the Ptolemaic Court

The attempt to figure out the role that women played in Ptolemaic courts uncovered a radical transition regarding the significance of women from Ptolemy I, the first Ptolemaic king, to the beginning of the reign [...]
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Mummification in Egypt: Nature of the Process

In addition, Egyptians believed that both animals and the human soul were inseparable from the rest of the body. The Egyptians felt that such practices were important in the well being of every individual in [...]
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Ancient History: the Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It is worth analyzing the place according to its appearance to the eyes of the millions of viewers who visit [...]
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Lysistrata: An Anti-War Play

The action evolves around the idea to come about the salvation of Greek people that is hatched by the main heroine of the play Lysistrata who encourages all women of Greece to withhold their marriage [...]
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Factors That Influenced Development on Human Civilization

Some of the ancient trading activities included the exchange of food crops which led to development of agriculture in various territories."Ideas also spread and developed through trading activities". At this time many people were concerned [...]
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Slavery in the Roman Empire

The elite were the rich people, and majority of the population that comprised of the common farmers, artisans, and merchants known as the plebeians occupied the low status.
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The Battle of Pharsalus

In fact, the purpose of why Caesar and Pompeius supported the idea of was similar: to get the power of the Roman citizens and conquer the whole world.
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Comparisons of Early Greek and Early Roman Cultures

The early Greek and Roman cultures were passed down and still influence the modern way of life. Greek's colonization of the Mediterranean region was in the form of extension of the isolated city states.
  • 5
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 876

Polybius vs. Livy on the Second Punic War

In terms of the former, Rome's and Cartago's ambitions can be considered the origins of the War. 1 Regarding the causes, Polybius emphasizes the "wrath of the Barcids," Hannibal's family members, the Roman seizure of [...]
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 402

Kingship in the Ancient Near East

The Hebrews used a stunningly symmetrical image of Yahweh, the king in heaven, and David, the king on earth. Even when kings no longer have any relevance to modernity, the images of God as king [...]
  • Pages: 1
  • Words: 397

Ethnic Minorities in Ancient Egypt

The main topic of the article is the study of the characteristics of various ethnic groups and social organizations in the Ancient Egyptian civilization.
  • Pages: 3
  • Words: 933

The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire

The purpose of this essay is to examine the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, including the influence of the Catholic Church and Kings in the secular and religious activities of the Europeans.
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  • Words: 896

The Shipwrecked Sailor Papyrus Analysis

In the end, despite the bewitching story at the junction of mysticism and reality, the nobleman is still depressed and afraid of the court. The words of the Serpent once again confirm that the island [...]
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The Roman Empire: Globalization and Religious Power

The Roman Empire is the first-ever experience of world globalization, the creation of a universal multinational society, in which the main directions of historical development with its ups and downs, unprecedented progress, and wild barbarism [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 385

Early Civilization in Africa Analysis

Therefore, the study of complex societies has risen in popularity to investigate the formation of states separately from the concept of urbanization. The evidence of African civilization enables anthropologists and archeologists to better understand the [...]
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1115

Roman Dress: the Influence of Roman Law

The aristocratic nature of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire, and the privileged position of Roman citizens about the other residents of the vast territory of the Roman state, as well as the developed bureaucratic [...]
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1676

9 Books of “The Histories” by Herodotus

It is one of the earliest books known today dedicated to exploring the history and describing not only lifestyles and traditions of the society in which the author or his ancestors lived but also lifestyles [...]
  • Pages: 5
  • Words: 1389

History of the Barbarians

The population bordering the Roman Empire included "the Irish and Picts of the British Isles, the highly civilized Persians on the Syrian Frontier, the Berbers of North Africa, Asiatic nomads like the Sarmatians, and many [...]
  • Pages: 6
  • Words: 1655

History: Ancient Greek Olympics

Hence, the myth concerning the emergence of the Olympic Games involves Zeus. The Olympic Games owed their integrity and significance to religion.
  • Pages: 4
  • Words: 1151

History of Athenian Democracy

There were three main bodies that governed the affairs of Athens and they were the assembly, the council and the courts all which were run by representatives of the people.
  • Pages: 7
  • Words: 1899

Civilization in Mesopotamia and Egypt

The people of Mesopotamia used calendars in order to determine when the floods could occur along the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. The Egyptians had a lot of developments in the field of architecture and art [...]
  • 5
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 571

The Greco-Roman influence

The paper discusses the nature of the cultural influence between the Romans and the Greek revealing the commonalities and discrepancies existing between the two.
  • 5
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 617

Rape in Ancient Societies

As long as the fallacies of integrity and closure are upheld, a desire to penetrate becomes a desire to rape.[3] The above statement also reveals an important feature of the act of rape that it [...]
  • Pages: 10
  • Words: 2684

Roman Republic: The Rise and Fall

This lack of unity among them was also a contributing factor to the decline of the roman republic. Despite the existence of the senate Rome was now ruled by a governor and the republic collapsed.
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 581

The Rosetta Stone in Ancient Egypt

In 1814, he began his work on interpreting the inscriptions on the Rosetta Stone as depicted in the documentary, 'Mystery of The Rosetta Stone: Documentary on Ancient Egypt and the Rosetta Stone.' During this process, [...]
  • Pages: 2
  • Words: 421
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