296 Ancient History Topics to Research & Write About

In an ancient history essay or research paper, an adequately chosen topic is critical. A clear and relevant idea is just a starting point for time-consuming writing. You have to do a sufficient analysis together with thoughtful writing to bring history alive.

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If you are looking for ancient history topics to research and write about, you are in the right place. This article contains a list of interesting and controversial essay topics on ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, as well as early world and Indian title ideas. There are also ancient history essay examples added to inspire you even more.

🔝 Top 10 Ancient History Essay Topics

1. William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”
2. Ancient Greek Mythical Characters
3. Cleopatra and Her Influence on the Ptolemaic Dynasty
4. Mesopotamian and Ancient Greek Civilizations Comparison
5. Mesopotamia and Egyptian Civilizations Comparison
6. The Ancient Mayan Civilization
7. The Architecture of Ancient Greece Found in Los Angeles
8. Mathematics in Ancient Greek Architecture
9. The Enuma Elish (Babylonian Genesis) and Genesis: A Comparison
10. Comparison of Sumerian and Egyptian Civilization

🏆 Best Ancient History Topics for Essays

1. 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.
2. Persuasion, Manipulation, Survival, Success at Work in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”
   Since the beginning of the play edited by Roma Gill, Brutus is presented as a character who is very close to Caesar and is a “great friend” of his.
3. Why Ancient Egypt’s Old and Middle Kingdoms Collapsed?
   The fact that the construction of the famous Egyptian pyramids began approximately at that time shows the capabilities of the civilization.
4. Julius Caesar an Iconic Roman
   This was highly unexpected, as Caesar, a declared dictator, had the support of all the people of Rome, and his death resulted in administrative imbalances.
5. Personality of Julius Caesar and His Effect on Rome
   Caesar’s role in the play is not immense, though he dominates the play, even after his demise in the third act of the play.
6. Art History: Female Figures in Ancient Greek Sculpture
   The development of female figures in ancient Greek sculpture was noticeable during those times; each period added something new; the influence of other countries and their cultures was reflected in almost each piece of work, […]
7. 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 […]
8. The Eloquent Peasant Story and Ancient Egyptian Law
   The characters in the story are the peasant Khun-Anup, the vassal of the high steward, Nemtynakht, the high steward Rensi, and King Nebkaure.
9. BBC Ancient Greece: The Greatest Show on Earth
   The presenter of this video talks about the importance of theater culture to the people of ancient Athens. In the days of the ancient Greeks, the people of Athens learned the latest news from theatrical […]
10. Polytheism of Ancient Greek and Babylonians Compared
    Turning on to the cult and political organization the gods do participate in the political and governance structures of the societies.
11. 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 […]
12. Ancient Greek Philosophers: A Critical Evaluation of Their Impact on Modern Thought
    However, according to the article, it is imperative to note that neither reason nor the quest for evidence started with the ancient Greeks, but the pre-Socratic philosophers endeavored to identify a single underlying standard that […]
13. Persian vs. Greek Cultures & Political Structures
    One argument suggests that after surrendering to the Spartans, Greece lost most of its political and military power, primarily accumulated in Athens.
14. 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 […]
15. Sumerian and Mayan Cultural Similarities
    As for the meaning of such similarities, both cultures honored the origin and holiness of humans, the earth, and all other sacred objects.
16. The Ancient Greek Tragedy “Antigone”
    The theme raised by Sophocles in the play is the theme of duty and family, which is still relevant to this day.
17. Ancient Egypt’s Geographical Features and Development
    Thanks to the flooding of the river, the Egyptians received irrigation of the land, and it was also used for fishing and hunting. The specific situation of the country was the key to the highest […]
18. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Ancient Egyptian Culture
    The Epic of Gilgamesh and the culture of the ancient Egypt have their own similarities and differences based on the historical events that took place in this cultures and the religious beliefs of the two […]
19. 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 […]
20. Ancient Greek Civilization: Culture and Arts
    To begin with, the earliest period of Greek history was the Bronze, and it is characterized by the usage and production of essential tools and the formation of two civilizations, which further contributed to the […]
21. The Role of Women in Ancient Egypt
    Right to the property for married women and their right to private inheritance and inheritance of the community property belonging to the husband was an essential nature of the status of women in Ancient Egyptian […]
22. The Role of Poets and the Place of Poetry in Ancient Greece
    The Muse is the giver of gifts and in this case it is the gift to create words that are melodious to the ear but at the same time the power to move the hearts […]
23. Comparing and Contrasting the Confucius Ideas With Ancient Greek Thinkers
    As far as the body and the soul interacted, Plato also commented on the things that the soul could be influenced by the work or the actions of the body.
24. Ancient Greek Culture, Philosophy and Science
    A few early Greek philosophers of the 6th century BCE began forming theories about the natural formations of the cosmos that went beyond the commonly held beliefs of the divine beings in the sky2.
25. Urbanization Process in Mesopotamia
    History of the involvement of the cities in the world has different reasons that lead to the development and establishment of the towns.
26. Ancient Egypt in “Gardner’s Art Through the Ages” by Kleiner
    The part of the first chapter of “Gardner’s Art Through the Ages” dwells upon the history of Ancient Egypt from the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt to the period of the New Kingdom.
27. Suffering in the Ancient, Roman and Greek Periods
    It can be noted that in all cases suffering was seen as evil in some quarters of the ancient world as is seen today.
28. 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.
29. Comparison Between Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece’s Burial Rituals
    On the other hand, the burial rituals of the ancient Greeks in the period of 750BCE and 700BCE were affected by the age of geometry.
30. Julius Caesar’ Desire for Power
    Unfortunately with the death of Crassus by 53 BC and Caesar’s subsequent rise to power this as a result eclipsed the political standing of Pompey resulting in a distinct shift in the balance of power […]

🕵️ Ancient History Historical Investigation Topics

Ancient history is full of mysteries requiring detailed investigation to shed light on events that remain in the shadows! Read on to gain lots of new insights!

Ancient Egyptian Tombs

The tombs of ancient Egypt were monumental structures built for pharaohs and nobles. They have attracted researchers for centuries because they provide a deep understanding of Egyptian civilization. Mysterious hieroglyphs, chambers, and artifacts filled with hidden meanings — all this excites the imagination and calls to unravel the secrets of ancient Egypt.

Was Julius Caesar an Iconic Roman?

Undoubtedly, Julius Caesar left a deep mark on Roman history. His reforms of the calendar, the Latin alphabet, and the system of government laid the foundations for the further progress of the Roman Empire. Caesar was also honored for his military exploits, which enabled him to expand the borders of the Empire to Gaul and Britain.

What Was Work Like in Ancient Rome?

Occupations in ancient Rome were often determined by social class and economic status. The wealthy elite enjoyed the privilege of leisure pursuits while the middle class worked long hours to make ends meet. The most prevalent jobs in the Roman Empire included farmers, teachers, moneylenders, healers, enslaved people, and more. Although each job was crucial, it rarely resulted in significant wealth or social mobility.

The Ancient Mayan Civilization Controversies

One of the most mysterious aspects of the Maya is their origins. Unlike other civilizations with well-documented pasts, the Maya seem to have risen in Central America’s jungles with a sudden burst of cultural development. Also, their practice of human sacrifice and complex hieroglyphic writing system, which has yet to be fully deciphered, add more to the intrigue and debate among scholars.

How Efficient Was Police in Ancient Rome?

The effectiveness of the police in ancient Rome varied, as they primarily relied on local officials, private guards, and a small number of urban cohorts to keep peace in the Empire. While offering some flexibility, this decentralized system has often left rural areas vulnerable. It also made the justice system prone to corruption, privileging the wealthy elite over the general population.

👍 Good Topics for Ancient History Essays

1. Cleopatra’s Life, From Her Ascension to the Throne to Solemn Death
   The bond between Antony and Cleopatra continued to strengthen and resulted in the return of most of Egypt’s empires that had been conquered by the Romans.
2. An Agrarian Pyramid of the Hittite Kingdom
   However, the king did not control all aspects of the kingdom: some branches were controlled by the elites, for example, the Chief of the Scribes.
3. Persian Letters by Montesquieu
   I chose the 24th letter from the collection to demonstrate the peculiarities of the author’s style that contributed significantly to the book’s unfading success.
4. History of Mesopotamia and Egypt
   The central characteristics of the Egyptian state and religion were anchored on the monarchy. In a nutshell, the Egyptian myth demonstrated the wouldeath’ of the older creation and the advent of the new creation.
5. 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 […]
6. Ashoka Pillars: The Mystery of the Ancient Civilization
   One of the most incredible creations of the ancient civilizations, the Ashoka Pillar is the reminiscence of the bygone times and the most incredible specimen of the ancient art.
7. Civilization in Ancient Egypt
   The civilization of ancient Egypt happened at the same time Mesopotamian civilization was taking place in other areas in the nations of the Akkadians, Babylonians and the Sumerians. Indeed, religion in ancient Egypt led to […]
8. Ancient Egypt: Geography and Environment
   Thus, the country’s main river occupies a central place in the peculiarities of the culture and development of Egypt. Being a transit region, Egypt also managed to absorb the influence of other areas and enrich […]
9. Ancient Greece Heroes: The Iliad and The Knight’s Tale
   It is rather tempting to see the later work as a reflection of the ancient Greek story, but Chaucer’s work is rather a re-evaluation of the old story.
10. Agamemnon as a Leader – Ancient History
    This was just before they sailed to Troy for battle where Agamemnon’s insults resulted to them being disciplined as the winds died so that they were unable to navigate, until Agamemnon made a sacrifice to […]
11. The Standard Babylonian Poem of the Righteous Sufferer
    The poem is preserved in a copy from the Applurian Library of King Ashurbanipal, where it was transcribed from the original in the library of the Nippur temple.
12. Culture and Society Through the Babylonian Sufferer
    The Poem is a kind of reflection of alienation from the divine, drawing attention to injustice and the problem of morality. First and foremost, the Poem is seen as one of the beginnings of the […]
13. Male Dominance in Sumerian Civilization
    The Civilization in Sumer was the first in the world starting from the early Bronze Age. The women here had the authority over the religious group and were held in high esteem.
14. Western Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome,Greece
    The history of Mesopotamia traces back to the emergence of the urban centers in the Middle East in the 4th millennium.
15. Minoan Civilization and Its Collapse in 1450 BC
    There was a strong influence of the Minoan palace culture that was greatly affected by the earthquakes that took place in that area most of the time, and therefore it became hard as the palaces […]
16. Ancient History of Babylon and Mohenjo-Daro Cities
    The importance of water for Babylonian infrastructure, thus, became leading, influencing the lives of peasants through the necessity of irrigation and the lives of city-dwellers through the integration of water canals into the city’s infrastructure.
17. Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead
    It is a critical and ending part of the journey in the afterlife when the individual would arrive at the Hall of Maat and the purity of their soul is judged before entering the Kingdom […]
18. The River Nile’s Importance to the Ancient Egyptians
    This work is an analysis of Abdul’s assignment on the importance of the River Nile to the Ancient Egyptians. This work analyses Abdul’s task in terms of the satisfaction of the demands of literacy and […]
19. Do Antony and Cleopatra Transcend the East-West Divide in Their Relationship?
    This piece of work gives a critical analysis of the play, Antony and Cleopatra, with much emphasis given to the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra. From the play, it is palpable that the relationship between […]
20. Religion in Ancient Rome, the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire
    Religion in the Holy Roman Empire was a far contrast to the religion in ancient Rome. In the Byzantine Empire religion is the lifeblood of the whole society.
21. Political Impacts of Julius Caesar
    This enables Lepidus to see the leadership potential in Caesar and makes his wish to work with him in the government.
22. Ancient Egypt History
    The national Unity, which portrayed peace among the Egyptian people, was maintained by a central government that had supreme powers and was controlled by the Pharaoh, the only ruler at the time.
23. The River Nile and Its Contribution to Ancient Egyptian Civilization
    The source of the river remained a mystery to the early inhabitants of ancient Egypt for a considerable amount of time.
24. Concepts of the Rise and Fall of the Babylonian and Egyptian Empires
    In addition, effects of the war, capturing of Babylonia’s cities, and destruction of the Babylon’s walls by the Syrians made the situation worse for Babylonia, hence leading to its downfall.
25. Cats in Ancient Egyptian Culture: Religious, Social, and Cultural Significance
    The Egyptians faced lions, panthers, and jungle cats in the woods. In Ancient Egypt, cats were an embodiment of the sun god.
26. “Cleopatra” by Michael Grant
    Life of Cleopatra is still one of the most captivating subjects in a world’s history. In the introduction to Cleopatra the author designates the main thesis of his work.
27. Act 1 Scene III of “The Tragedy of Julius Caesar” Analysis
    The third scene is full of phrases and descriptions appealing to the reader. Short phrases deliver messages to the reader about the true essence of Cassius, Casca, and Cicero.
28. Queen Elizabeth I and Cleopatra as Female Leaders
    She led her country with a lot of zeal and determination to give the best and rectify the shortcomings of her predecessors.
29. City States in Ancient Greece and Renaissance Italy
    Similarities According to Spencer the invasion by the Dorians was one reason that strengthened the growth of the city states. In Italy, the city-states authority belonged to rich and the gentries.
30. The Story of the Tower of Babylon
    The questions of interest regarding the Tower of Babylon are: Which language did the people speak before the Tower of Babylon?

⚖️ Controversial Ancient History Topics

Many questions remain unanswered or debated in ancient history. Do you want to learn more? Read on!

Lost Civilizations — The Maya, The Khmer Empire, Easter Island, and Others

Grand civilizations have flourished throughout history, leaving behind awe-inspiring monuments and profound legacies. Yet, some societies, including Maya, Khmer, and Easter Islanders, have vanished under mysterious circumstances. Studying these cultures allows us to explore their systems of government, economics, beliefs, art, science, and other aspects and reveal the secrets of their rise and fall.

Ancient Egyptian Race Controversy

The controversy of the ancient Egyptians’ race revolves around questions of racial classification and ethnic identity, often influenced by modern political and social contexts. Some academics argue that the ancient Egyptians were black Africans, while others suggest a more diverse population influenced by interactions with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and sub-Saharan African peoples.

The Historicity of the Bible

The primary reason for the debate over the Bible’s historicity is that many of its narratives are not conclusively backed up by historical or archaeological evidence. Besides, interpretations of biblical texts differ considerably among researchers and religious communities. All these circumstances further complicate the debate over the Bible’s historical trustworthiness.

Did King Arthur Exist?

The mystery surrounding King Arthur persists since there is no archaeological evidence to support his existence, except for several historical texts that mention him. Historians cannot agree if he was a real leader, a blend of several rulers, or a myth. However, ongoing research into medieval manuscripts and historical records continues to fuel the debate.

Were the Mongol Conquests Beneficial?

The Mongol conquests led by Genghis Khan are the subject of historical debate about their advantages and downsides. While they undeniably caused immense destruction and death, they paved the way for increased trade, cultural exchange, and innovation across Eurasia. A comprehensive analysis of the Mongol conquest’s economic, cultural, and technological outcomes can help fully grasp their multifaceted legacy.

🎓 Simple & Easy Ancient History Research Titles

1. The Impact of Ancient Greek Civilization and Architecture on Modern Culture
   The connection between ancient Greek architecture and modern culture in the United States is evident because of the presence of similar constructions and continuous use of terms that originated from that civilization.
2. Art History: The Prehistoric Aegean, Ancient Greece
   The relationship between curvilinear forms in Minoan art and the primary role of nature is that nature provided the curvilinear shapes and forms that formed the basis for the artwork.
3. The Ancient Greek Society: Role of Religion
   In the cultural sense, the phrase ‘ancient Greece’ refers to the way of life of the ancient Greek people as depicted in their mode of worship, language, governance, entertainment and their understanding of the physical […]
4. Ancient Egyptian Culture: Religion, Art, Sports
   The Great Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza, the Karnak Temple Complex, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Temples of Luxor are among the most famous constructions in the world.
5. Alexander the Great’s Conquest of Persian Empire
   The death of Alexander the Great shook the empire, beginning the process of the division and undoing of his legacy as many of the conquered regions saw opportunities to relinquish the Hellenistic rule.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Ancient History of Mesopotamia and Egypt
   Both Mesopotamian and Egyptian rulers employed art as one of the methods to reinforce their ideology and remain in the cultural memory.
9. The Role of Kingship in Ancient Egypt
   Moreover, the king was considered the incarnation of the god Horus and “the central figure in the world view of the ancient Egyptians”.
10. The Ancient Greek and Republican Roman Architects
    The ancient Greek and Roman architects sought to express cultural and aesthetic perspectives guided by the adoration of classical qualities such as maturity, moderation, order, balance, and harmony.
11. Religion: Sumerian and Genesis Creation Account
    The Sumerians and Christians believed that the gods first started with energy through the creation of light and then followed this up with form as seen through creation of the planets, then that form was […]
12. Ancient Greek Temples Architecture
    This temple was built using the Ionic order and formed the Seven Wonders of the World. Another known and oldest temple that used this order is the Apollo Bassae constructed in 420 BC.
13. Race in Ancient Egypt
    Due to race infiltration in Egypt, majority of the black people were under-educated and denied the facts that spelled out the true history of Ancient Egypt, achievements of the black population, and their original works […]
14. Changes in Ancient Greek and Roman Art
    Many of the sculptures from the Iron age were relatively simple and heavily stylized, reflecting the limitations of the tools and techniques available at the time.
15. Ancient Greek and Roman Cynicism
    It could be claimed that the philosophy of Cynicism emphasizes living simply and self-sufficiently but may overlook the benefits of material possessions and community, risking isolation and missing out on social interaction.
16. 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, […]
17. Deduction in Ancient Greece and Egypt
    Mathematics and the use of formulas have played an important role in the development of the modern world. The Golden Ratio concept was used in this part of the world.
18. The Ancient Roman Aqueducts and Their Structure
    This work focuses on the principles of building aqueducts, the materials utilized in the process, the key uses, and the specifics of the repair.
19. The Democracies of Ancient Greece and the Roman Republic
    Any democracy which, at least formally, is based on the power of the majority, equality of citizens, protection of their rights and freedoms, a system of separation of powers, and electability of authorities implies a […]
20. Ancient Egyptians’ Origins and Ethnicity
    For the longest time in the period from the 19th to the beginning of the 20th century, the Caucasian theory of the origin of the ancient Egyptians dominated.
21. Herbal Medicine and Remedies in Ancient Egypt
    Additionally, the water lily, a plant belonging to the genus Nymphaea, was utilized for religious purposes and as a kind of medicine in ancient Egypt. 2005 The Art of Medicine in Ancient Egypt.
22. Culture of Ancient Greece in The Odyssey by Homer
    The Odyssey is one of the oldest and most well-known epics in the world. This can be attributed to Homer’s ability to describe the culture and life of the people of the ancient era with […]
23. Tigris and Euphrates’ Significance for Mesopotamia
    Now, Mesopotamia is understood mainly as a valley in the lower reaches of these rivers, and lands are added to it east of the Tigris and west of the Euphrates.
24. Ancient Greek vs. Roman Sculpture in the Late Classical Period
    The left-hand drops her clothes onto the jar of water, the head is turned to the left, and the right hand is extended in front of the pudenda.
25. 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 […]
26. The Ancient Greek Culture Impact on Western Civilization
    The most significant public structures in the city were gathered around the temple in the city’s center, which served as the power headquarters.
27. Art of Ancient Greece: The Diadoumenos Statue
    The marble statue of the Diadoumenos depicts an athlete with a victory armband and is a reconstruction of the original based on Roman marble spears. Polykleitos’ sculpture is a typical example of the classical period […]
28. Ancient History of Greek Civilization
    In ancient Greece, the body was the material means of constructing and transmitting social values; the body’s visual representation exemplified the moral codes of the time.
29. Greece History: Ancient History Points
    Moreover, Herodotos’ text depicts the extinction of Cretans, which corresponds to the archeological data, although they mention the eruption as the main factor for the demise of Minoans.
30. The Art of Ancient Greece: The Marble Head of Athena
    The art of Ancient Greece played an essential role in the development of the culture and art of humankind. In Greece, the first principles of democracy in history were formed within the framework of a […]

💡 Most Interesting Ancient History Topics to Write About

1. Democracy in Ancient Greece and Today
   From the lecture, I discovered that the word democracy partly originates from the word demes which means the small division of the bigger sections that Athens was divided into during the ancient time.
2. The Concept of Deduction in Ancient Greek and Egyptian Mathematics
   The work of the famous and great Ancient Greek mathematicians has played a vital role in permeating every aspect, section, and part of life, especially from the sector of sending the rockets into space, accounting, […]
3. Ancient Egyptians’ Ethics of War
   The initial religion of ancient Egypt was to realize the Gods in the form of birds and beasts. With the beginning of agriculture, the Egyptians became more dependent on nature, so they started to revere […]
4. Venus de Milo, Sculpture of Ancient Greece Art
   The statue also depicts the story of the Judgment of Paris. The findspot of the figure of the goddess is still unknown, and it cannot be said where exactly it was found.
5. Mastaba of Mereruka in Ancient Egypt
   The Matsaba of Mereruka is a great example of the Old Kingdom tomb and its purpose of ensuring a prosperous afterlife for the buried one. The first mention of the king of the afterlife was […]
6. Ancient Egyptian Tomb of Mereruka at Saqqara
   The tomb of Mereruka at Saqqara is one of the most famous monuments, which is the tomb of the non-royal person.
7. The Gallic War and Julius Caesar’s Life
   One notable difference between Caesar’s and Plutarch’s descriptions of the siege of Alesia is how the authors list the numbers of the Gauls.
8. Visual Arts: Ancient Art of the Greeks
   Ancient art plays a significant role in helping the individuals of the current generation explain the civilizations of the ancient past. Fresco painted the Bull-leaping fresco from Knossos art to depict the civilizations of the […]
9. Captive’s Statuettes of Ancient Egypt
   In particular, they were used in the rituals of protection of the land and the king, which were conducted in temples to eliminate the enemies of the king of Egypt.
10. Roles in Diplomacy: Cleopatra and Hatshepsut
    The reemergence of Nubia and the Kushites, which were the allies of Hyksos, was a major threat to the survival of the kingdom and Hatshepsut was expected to take a strong action to salvage the […]
11. Art Before History, the Ancient Near East, Egypt Under the Pharaohs
    5 million years ago and was marked by the development and use of chipped stone tools Mesolithic- This is a cultural period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras that began around 10,000 years ago and […]
12. The Mindset and Ancient Greek Philosophy
    Metaphysics studies the nature of reality, the structure of the world, the origin of man, God, truth, matter, mind, the connection between mind, body, and free will, and the correlation between events.
13. Ancient Greek History: The Most Important Events of the Period
    Ancient Greece was home for most of the famous personalities of the ancient world. The introduction of Olympic Games was one of the most significant events in Ancient Greek History.
14. The Values of the Babylonian Society: Hammurabi’s Laws Five and Twenty-One
    In this paper, Hammurabi’s laws number five and twenty-one will be evaluated as the guidelines that secured the ideas of justice and property protection, which were of particular significance to the Babylonians.
15. Ancient Egyptian and Greece Literature
    The history of literature began in the Bronze Age with the invention of writing in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. In Egypt, hieroglyphs and the similarity of drawings were used for writing.
16. Scientific Approach to Magic in Ancient Greece
    2 The dual attitude towards magic in Ancient Greece is deeply rooted in those people’s focus on knowledge and the use of the scientific method that was born during that period.
17. Assyrian Prophecy and Book of Isaiah 45 Comparison
    Thus, the theme of each of the passages is the prophecy of the gods for the chosen kings. The conceptualization of the gods lies in their confidence, perseverance, and selflessness.
18. Women in Ancient Greek and Roman Art
    The ancient Greek and Roman art, both textual and visual, are a rich source of information on the social history of women in these cultures.
19. Art Tendencies in Europe and the Persian Empire
    This research paper focuses on the works of art that represent tendencies peculiar to Europe and the Persian Empire between the second half of the seventeenth century and the mid-eighteenth century.
20. Rulers From Different Cultures: Cleopatra and Wu Zetian
    The main difference was the family background of Cleopatra and Wu Zhao. The second cultural divergence was the governments of the two countries in which Cleopatra and Wu Zhao ruled.
21. Art History: Art and Medicine of the Ancient Egypt
    According to the Egyptian historian Manetho, Imhotep was the first architect who invented the technique of building with the use of a dressed stone. In ancient Egypt, the falcon represented the god Horus who was […]
22. Aegean Art: The Minoan Stone Vase
    Overall, the evaluation of parameters of the stone vase along with its cultural significance suggests that Minoan culture is the synthesis of values promoted by the Minoan Cretan civilization that are wealth accumulation and facilitation […]
23. Ancient Greek Mythology: Deities of the Universe
    Hades is the eldest son of Kronos and Rhea, the god and the guardian of the Underworld, the realm of the dead.
24. Black Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
    That was the home to the earliest culture of the black people in Africa. It is claimed in the article that the first rulers of Egypt were black.
25. Homa Capital Columns’ at Ancient Persian Persepolis City
    Alexander the great later raided the city and demolished the palace of Xerxes to symbolize the end of the PanHellenic revenge war.
26. Democracy Emergence in Ancient Greece and Why Plato Was Opposed to It
    The result of this war was the defeat of Athens by Sparta at the end of the fifth century which led to the overthrow of many democratic regimes.
27. The Impact of Geography on Agriculture: Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
    Due to the fact that the river overrode the Ethiopian lowland, the inclined gradient of the River Nile sent the water torrent which overflowed the river banks resulting in over flooding of the river.
28. The Hetaerae Women of Ancient Greece
    In the Greek society, the hetaerae women consisted of women who were liberal and commanded great influence in the society. The hetaerae women were noble in one aspect of the other.
29. Oedipus the King and Ancient Greek Culture
    Oedipus consults the servant who was sent to abandon him as a child and it is revealed that he was the child of Laius and Jocasta.
30. Ancient Civilization of Rome and Athens
    The city of Rome and the city of Athens had great influence and authority over their neighbors and allies. The city of Athens had great influence throughout the Aegean and the influence lasted for about […]

📌 Interesting Topics to Write about Ancient History

1. Americas, Egypt, and Mesopotamia Between 3500-500 BCE
2. Origin of the Olympics in the Ancient Greek Society
3. Roman History: Why Julius Caesar Was Assassinated
4. Western Civilization: Ancient Greek Theater
5. Sumer and Akkadian Cities, Towns and Villages, 3,500 – 2,000 BC
6. The Culture of Ancient Egypt
7. Democracy and Dictatorship in Ancient Greece and Today
8. Ancient Civilization of Rome
9. Astronomy: Ancient History of Science
10. The Changes of the Ancient Greeks’ Conceptions of Heroism Through the Times
11. The Culture of Ancient Greece
12. The Ancient Near East: Civilization of Mesopotamia and Great Flood
13. “Cleopatra” Movie by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
14. Family Structure and Women Status in Ancient Egypt
15. Architectural Marvels of Ancient Mesopotamia
16. Ancient Egypt’s Socioeconomic & Cultural Relations
17. The Indus Valley Civilization’s Development
18. Ancient History: Polybius on the Roman Republic
19. Ancient Greek Sports: Boxing, Wrestling, Running
20. Ancient History: Periclean Athens and Augustan Rome
21. The Immortals Army of Persian Empire
22. Ancient Anasazi and Their Civilization
23. Ancient Roman Myth and Historical Facts
24. Cleopatra: Heartless Oppressor or Conscientious Goddess
25. Ancient Egypt vs. Ancient Greece
26. Public Speaking in Ancient Greece and Roman Empire
27. Julius Caesar’s and Czar Nicholas II’s Leadership
28. The Roman Villa Role in the Ancient History
29. The Great Leap Forward: Societies in Early Mesopotamia
30. The Persian Empires’ Rise and Fall

⭐ Ancient History Essay Topics for College

1. The “Epic of Gilgamesh” and Mesopotamia
2. Ancient India and Greece Sculptures Comparison
3. Cleopatra – The Queen of Egypt
4. Ancient Greek Philosophy: Socrates and Plato Comparison
5. Ancient Greek Art and Sculpture
6. Mummification in Ancient Egypt
7. The Philosophy of Ancient Greece
8. Ancient History: the Great Pyramid of Giza
9. Cleopatra: The Last Queen of Egypt
10. Cleopatra’ and Caesar’ Relationship
11. Chimera of Arezzo: A Conventional Example of Etruscan Art
12. Ancient Societies in Mesopotamia and Ancient Societies in Africa
13. Ancient Greek Civilization History
14. Infanticide in Ancient Greece
15. Ancient Greek Democracy That Still Makes People Strive for Perfection
16. The Kings of Ancient Egypt
17. Why Julius Caesar Was Assassinated
18. Music in the Ancient Greece
19. Transformation of the Ancient Greece Art
20. Persian Music: Improvisation and Composition. Welcome to Dariush Eghbali’s Enchanted World
21. Welcome to Ancient Egypt: When Legends Were Born
22. Concepts of Ancient Greek Culture
23. The Ancient Greek Play Antigone by Sophocle
24. Ancient Mediterranean Civilization
25. Julius Caesar and Rome
26. The Evolution of the Division of Labor Theory Starting From Ancient Greek Economists to the Present
27. Ancient Greek History: Athens
28. The Story of Gilgamesh in Sumerian Versions
29. Mythology’s Role in the Ancient Greece – God Poseidon
30. Gods and Humans: Myths of Ancient Rome and Greece
31. Pride in Ancient Greek

🏺 Best Ancient History Essay Questions

1. What is the role of archaeology in historical research?
2. Greek Mythology: what are its key figures?
3. How were Egyptian pyramids built?
4. The Pompeii eruption: how did it happen?
5. Ancient Greek art: what is its influence on the world’s culture?
6. What were the causes and effects of the Trojan war?
7. Spartan warrior culture: how was it organized?
8. Socrates: why is he the key figure of Western philosophy?
9. What were the origins of the Colosseum?
10. What were the causes of the Battle of Marathon?

📜 Ancient History Essay: How to Write

You might be wondering which events of the past are considered ancient history. Usually, this term refers to the circumstances from the beginning of writing human history to the beginning of post-classical history.

Be mindful that people can also apply it to the discipline itself!

Historians estimate the span of recorded history to be around 5000 years. It begins with the Sumerian script and ends with the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

There are three main ways to examine ancient history:

1. Through primary sources
2. Through archaeological discoveries
3. Through secondary sources

We divided this list periodically and regionally. In our opinion, it is by far the easiest way to present ancient history topics for essay writing.

🏛️ Ancient Greece Research Topics

1. Intellectual Achievements of Ancient Philosophers
2. The concept of time in Presocratics
3. The religious and social function of Greek Mythology. This essay strives to understand the function of mythology in Ancient Greece. Consider it both from the religious but also from a social function. Surprisingly, these functions cannot be fully isolated from one another. Just as religion explains society, society, at the same time, shapes the religion.

1. The role of poets in Ancient Greece
2. The primary emphasis of Spartan Education
3. Three stages in burial rituals in Ancient Greece
4. Causes of the Trojan War. In this research paper, comment on the roots o the Trojan War as recorded in myths. Consider other historical documents as well. An excellent source for anyone who is writing an essay about the Trojan War would be Homer and his works. Check Iliad out if you haven’t done it yet.
5. Infanticide in Ancient Greece with a focus on the Spartan tradition
6. Agamemnon as a leader of Greece. This historical figure made a significant impact on Greece and the ancient world in general. In the essay, you should write about his military achievements. Elaborate on his reforms and his policy, both foreign and domestic.
7. History of Greek Alphabet
8. Homer’s influence on the history of Greece
9. The origin of the Olympic games. Most of us get excited about the Olympic Games. In this research topic, students can learn more about the way this sport event originated. What sports were included from the very beginning? Who was able to participate?
10. Plato and Aristotle political philosophy
11. Divine Support during the Greco-Persian Wars
12. Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. This essay is a bit more challenging but great for someone who wants to understand Plato on a much deeper level. Talk about what the philosopher meant when he spoke about the Cave. Why was he so concerned with the nature of human perception? What was the main message there for us?
13. Slavery in Ancient Greece. As in many other societies of the ancient world, slavery was a widely accepted practice. Some of the most famous philosophers, such as Aristotle, thought that slavery was natural. In this essay, students can discuss how slavery became an acceptable practice in ancient Greece. How did the owners treat their slaves? What jobs did the slaves do?

1. The main features of Ancient Greek Architecture
2. Roman influence on the development of Ancient Greek Art
3. Basic principles and notions of Euclid geometry
4. Ancient Greek Drama

🏺 Ancient Rome Research Topics

1. Ancient Roman Emperors: the best and the worst
2. Gender relationships in Ancient Rome. Expose the gender roles in Ancient Rome by examining the mythology and position in the family. Look for the representations in art, literature, and poetry. These sources will reveal the true position that men and women held in Ancient Roman society.
3. Law and Justice in Ancient Rome
4. Slavery in Ancient Rome
5. Constitutional System in Ancient Rome
6. Trade and Economy in Ancient Rome
7. The architecture of Ancient Rome. A great essay topic to consider. First of all, we can still see some of its remainings today and appreciate it for its beauty. Second of all, it allows us to understand the power that Rome had. Talk about the most famous Roman architecture and implemented styles. What are the innovations used by Roman architects?
8. Agricultural deities in Ancient Rome
9. Clothing in Ancient Rome
10. Ancient Roman Diet
11. Languages in Ancient Rome: Classical and Vulgar. You cannot claim to understand a culture without understanding its language. Look at this linguistic division. Consider what it tells us about the social structure of Roman society.
12. Epicurean philosophy and how it influenced the Roman way of thinking

1. Entertainment and sports in Ancient Rome. Romans engaged in a variety of different sports, including racing, boxing, jumping, wrestling, etc. The theater was significant as well. You can also talk about board games that were popular in Ancient Rome.
2. Julius Caesar and the Rise of the Roman Empire
3. Dictatorship and Democracy in Ancient Rome
4. Early Latin Literature
5. Constitutional reforms of Julius Caesar

⚖️ Ancient Egypt Research Topics

1. Architecture, art, and technology in the Old Kingdom
2. Egyptian Pyramids and the construction techniques. One of the most mysterious structures ever. Egyptian Pyramids intrigued generations and generations of people. In this essay, you can talk about the history of the pyramids in Egypt. Elaborate on the techniques that were used to build them.
3. The purpose of the pyramids in Giza
4. History of the Great Sphinx
5. Tutankhamun’s Tomb
6. Ancient Egyptian beliefs about life and death. You cannot talk about Ancient Egypt without touching upon their belief system about life and death. Students can talk about how the idea of immortality influenced their beliefs. How did Ancient Egyptians get into the afterlife? What did they have to do?
7. Mummification process in Ancient Egypt. Mummification was an integral part of ancient Egyptian religion. They saw this step to be essential to living well in the afterlife. Comment on the way the mummification process took place in Egypt, starting from “the most perfect” method. Mention a technique used to avoid major expenses.
8. Ancient Egypt in the Bible. Ancient Egypt is one of the most commonly mentioned locations in the Bible. The Egyptians play critical roles in the Bible accounts. Does the Bible give an accurate description of Ancient Egypt?
9. The importance of the Nile river
10. The place of religion in Egyptian Civilization
11. Innovation during the Reign of Hatshepsut
12. Who were pharaohs?
13. The formal writing system in Ancient Egypt
14. Entertainment in Ancient Egypt. Learning about what people of the past did for fun is enjoyable, isn’t it? For instance, Ancient Egyptians liked to go swimming, rowing, dancing, fishing, and hunting. You can write about one, or about several activities that Egyptians did. Just pick and see what you can find!

1. Burial Ceremonies in Ancient Egypt
2. Arts and Music in Ancient Egypt
3. Gender role of women in Ancient Egypt
4. Clothing and makeup in Ancient Egypt: why were cleanliness and appearance so important?

🐉 Ancient China Research Topics

1. The significance of the Silk Road for Ancient China
2. Why was the Great Wall built?
3. What was the purpose of the Forbidden City? Explain what the Forbidden City was built for. Why was it was this way? You can talk about how its symbolic meaning changed over the centuries. What did it mean then and signifies now?
4. The Terracotta Army as a symbol of life and power
5. The Battle of the Red Cliffs: the causes and the outcomes
6. History of science and technology in Ancient China. Ancient China is famous for its inventions. It held leading positions in the world in many fields. Of course, you can examine the four primary inventions—papermaking, printing, gunpowder, and the compass. There are other less known inventions such as bronze, acupuncture, a toothbrush, and paper money.
7. The key accomplishments of the Han Dynasty in Ancient China
8. Three Major Religions in Ancient China
9. Literature and Philosophy in Ancient China
10. The teachings of Confucius

🧮 Ancient Middle East Research Topics

1. The Sumerians and Mesopotamia
2. How did the Sumer Language develop and die?
3. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon the Great. One of the Seven Wonders of the World. No one knows if they existed for real, but they were included in the list. You can simply try to answer a question: what is so special about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?
4. Science and Technology in Mesopotamian Civilization
5. Gender roles in Ancient Mesopotamia. Just like many other nations in the ancient world, ancient Mesopotamia was a patriarchal society. Men were the heads of the household. The gender roles were clearly defined. Talk about what women were allowed to do in Ancient Mesopotamia. What were they not allowed to do, and why?
6. Ancient Mesopotamian Religion and Philosophy
7. Akkadian Empire: the rise and the fall
8. A written history of Ancient Israelites. Consider archeological excavations, the Hebrew Bible, and other ancient scrolls. Ancient Israelites have a long and exciting story to talk about. Write about it if you agree with this statement.
9. The Pre-Islamic Middle East
10. The consequences of the Persian-Greek Wars

🔱 Ancient Historical Figures to Write about

It is tough to identify one single ancient historical figure to write about. First of all, there were a lot of them. Furthermore, this period of history is very long.

The abundance of influential rulers, artists, writers, and religious leaders is incredible. Even a very determined person can get confused. However, there is no need to worry because we are here to help.

These 15 historical figures can be a great focus of your next essay writing:

1. Cleopatra. One of the most captivating women that ever lived. She was beautiful, smart, and extremely powerful. The last queen of Egypt is worth writing about.
2. Julius Caesar. A powerful ruler, a philosopher, a writer. Julius Caesar is played a critical role in the events that led to the rise of the Roman Empire.
3. Tutankhamun. His reign is not as significant as his tomb. You can still talk about his short reign and the cause of his death. You can also elaborate on the recent DNA and genographic research. Conducted as an attempt to understand the story of Tut, the latest findings are quite intriguing.
4. Alexander the Great. He was believed to be a descendent of God. Alexander was a military genius, an incredible warrior, an influential leader. What accomplishments made him earn the title “great”?

1. Aristotle. Many consider him to be one of the greatest philosophers of all time. He made notable contributions to logic, criticism, biology, and many other topics.
2. Plato. Known as the Father of Western political philosophy, Plato is never underrated. His most remarkable contributions include the theory of forms. There, Plato looked for solutions to universal problems.
3. Augustine of Hippo. We all heard of him as Saint Augustine, or Augustinus, or the doctor of the Church. Why was he considered one of the best theologians of Western Christianity? For more information about his life and personality, read the autobiographical book TheConfessions.
4. Jesus Christ. There are a lot of debates happening regarding the nature of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, historians do not doubt that he existed. He was the most famous person that has ever lived. Besides, he is the central figure of the Christian religion.
5. Caligula. Almost all the accounts of this Roman Emperor agree that he was cruel and vicious. However, he was a noble and moderate ruler in the first years of his reign. Some historians believe that Caligula was mentally ill.
6. Cicero. Cicero was a Roma orator, lawyer, and philosopher. He believed in the existence of an ideal form of government. You can talk about his political or philosophical views and accomplishments.
7. Confucius. In the essay about Confucius, talk about what he believed in and the religion that he started. Confucianism rests upon the belief that human beings are teachable, perfectible, and ultimately kind. The Golden Rule of Confucius that he taught all his followers to apply can become a great topic to discuss.
8. Constantine the Great. This Roman Emperor can rightfully claim his title. For starters, he made Christianity into the religion of the state. That’s just one of the many things students can write about.

1. Euclid. He was the father of geometry. What did he discover? What were his major works and accomplishments? Students all over the world still apply the principles that this great mathematician once discovered.
2. Hammurabi. Much can be said about this Babylonian king. However, the most significant accomplishment of Hammurabi is the Code that he developed.
3. Homer. Homer and his works had an immense effect on Western Culture. Nevertheless, we know very little about Homer himself. Some people even believe that Homer did not exist.

✍️ Ancient History Research Paper Topics

By definition, a good historical analysis is to be analytical. It means that it should go beyond simple description and narration. So, strive to do that.

The focus of historical analysis is on interpretation and building connections between events. Plus, it depends on the goals of your research paper. Sometimes you will concentrate on understanding how and why certain things happened. Other times, you will be looking into the way a specific event was recorded. You may even take a more historiographical approach. It all depends on the type of assignment you’ve received.

To be able to produce an excellent historical analysis, follow these steps:

1. Read your assignment carefully and understand what you have to do;
2. Ask the right questions;
3. Collect the sources: both primary and secondary;
4. Read them. Examine them. Understand them;
5. Build your arguments based on the sources;
6. Keep looking for some additional relevant information;
7. Strive to be original and creative.

Additionally, make sure you use a proper style. Don’t be afraid to ask your reader rhetorical questions. Bring up citations from various sources and seek opportunities to open up a discussion.

Engage your readers to think. For that, don’t choose an obscure history topic. Stay focused on the issues and historical events that are truly important and influential.

Here are some ancient history topics for historical analysis:

1. An impact of Genghis Khan on the ancient world
2. How did Mongol rule in Russia differ from the one in China?
3. A juxtaposition of the Sumerian and Mayan civilization
4. Did the Trojan Horse exist?
5. The historical significance of Carthage, and why is it unknown?

We hope you enjoyed this blog post. Do not hesitate to share ancient history topics with your peers. Take this as a learning opportunity, and good luck!

🔗 References

1. Ancient History Topics: Thames & Hudson
2. Points About Ancient Greek History: N.S. Gill for ThoughtCo
3. Ancient and Medieval History: Infobase
4. Ideas about Ancient world: TED Talk, Ideas Worth Spreading
5. Writing: Joshua L. Mark for Ancient History Encyclopedia
6. A Brief Guide to Writing the History Paper: Harward College Writing Center
7. Reading, Writing, and Researching for History: A Guide for College Students by Patrick Rael, Bowdoin College
8. Writing about History: Elspeth H. Brown, Department of History, for Writing Advice, University of Toronto
9. Useful Links: History Department, Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, Boston College