Greece, Northern Mediterranean- 1600- 1100 BCE -- The Mycenaean Greeks were Indo-European speaking peoples who spread from southwestern Europe, India and Iran. Mycenaean culture is marked by fortified palace-centers, which were built on hills surrounded by stone walls. Royal families would live within the city-wall structure, while citizens would live outside …

Isle of Crete, Northern Mediterranean- The earliest civilization in the Aegean region is called "Minoan Crete." Minoan Crete was a Bronze Age civilization, 2800 BCE. Minoan Crete was discovered on the island of Crete by Arthur Evans. The name 'Minoa' is taken from the name of a famous king of …

Persian Empire, Middle East- The Royal Road is a vast system of principal roadways constructed, 500 BCE. The Royal Road was at least 1600 miles in length and allowed for efficient transportation of troops from region to region within the Persian empire. The Road also allowed for rapid communication between …

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I recently finished reading The Rover by Joseph Conrad with a team of volunteers over at librivox. The Rover is a very interesting book and not as swashbuckling as the title might make it seem. I could really relate to the character of Peyrol because in some ways …

521 - 486 BCE- The Great King of Persia who was able to emerge as king after a year of civil war following the death of Cambyses, son of Cyrus the Great. Darius is regarded to have strengthened the Persian Empire, including building a canal from the Red Sea and the …

559 - 530 BCE- One of the great kings of Persia, Cyrus conquered many kingdoms and ruled them beneficently. Cyrus was responsible for the defeat of the Medes, the Chaldeans , the Lydians, and many other peoples. Cyrus had a reputation for mercy, and even allowed subject states to participate in governance …